OKLAHOMA 

HISTORY AND 

CIVICS 







ROBERTS 




Class _Eiaii4_ 
Bonk .1?M 

Copyright N?_ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




Early Oklahoma Citizens 



THE 

ESSENTIAL FACTS 

OF 

OKLAHOMA HISTORY 
AND CIVICS 



BY 



CHARLES H. ROBERTS 

w 

FORMERLY HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY 

CENTRAL STATE NORMAL SCHOOL 

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA 



ov 7roW' a\\a rroXv 



BENJ. H. SANBORN & CO. 

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO 

1914 






Copyright, 1914, 

BY 
CHARLES H. ROBERTS. 



ji/^^O^ 



Nottooob Press 

J. 8. dishing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

[Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



JAN -2 1914 

©CI.A3G1407 



INTRODUCTION 

The study of history should be one of the most interesting 
subjects that a child takes up in school work. Every one likes 
to hear about what other people have done, provided they 
have done something of importance. It has been the purpose 
of the author of this brief history to arrange the subject matter 
so as to hold the interest of the children, and cause them to 
want to know more about the story of their own state. The 
subject has been treated topically. The important facts con- 
cerning each subject have been brought together so that the 
child may have a clear and connected idea of what he has 
studied. The aim of the author has been to arrange the topics 
in a natural order and to connect the topics so as to make a 
complete whole. Disconnected facts arranged chronologically 
usually cause confusion in the mind of the child. It has been 
the earnest desire of the author to avoid such confusion, hoping 
that the child may be able to form a clear, complete picture of 
the entire story. 

The history of Oklahoma is unlike that of any other state. 
At first, it was set apart for Indians, and many Indians of a 
high type were brought within its borders. Then it was 
opened to the whites in a way to secure almost an equal 
proportion of the best blood of the North and South. Okla- 
homa should be a worthy state. Its coming citizens, the 
children, should be glad to know its wonderful story and should 
be inspired by it to be worthy citizens. It is hoped that this 
brief account of its past may help to develop such inspiration. 



iv Introduction 

Every citizen should be interested in the government of 
his own state- and should know how local affairs are managed. 
In the civics study included in this work, the aim has been to 
present a brief yet clear and complete outline of the govern- 
ment of Oklahoma, that the children may be prepared for a 
more complete understanding of the subject later on. 

CHARLES H. ROBERTS. 

Edmond, Oklahoma. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PERIOD OF EXPLORATION 



LESSON 

1. Spanish Explorations . 

2. French Explorations 

3. American Explorations 

4. Ownership of Oklahoma 



PAGE 

1 

6 

9 

13 



PERIOD OF REMOVAL OF FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES 

5. Removal of the Cherokees 17 

6. Removal of the Cherokees {Concluded) ..... 20 

7. Removal of the Creeks .22 

8. Removal of the Choctaws and Chickasaws .... 23 

9. Removal of the Seminoles . 25 

PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR IN INDIAN TERRITORV 

10. Civilized Tribes join the Confederacy 28 

11. Events of 1861 and 1862 30 

12. Events of 1863 and 1864 33 

13. End of the War 35 






PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION 

14. Terms of the Treaties 

15. Railroads enter Indian Territory . 

16. Attempt to form a Territorial Government 

17. Locating Other Tribes 

18. Locating Other Tribes {Concluded) 

19. Trouble with the Plains Indians 

v 



38 
40 
42 
44 
46 
49 



VI 



Table of Contents 



PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT BY WHITES 

LESSON 

20. Conditions before Settlement .... 

21. The First Opening 

22. The First Addition 

23. Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie Opening 

24. Cheyenne and Arapahoe Country 

25. Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 

26. The Kickapoo Country and Greer County 

27. The Kiowa and Comanche Opening . 

28. Big Pasture and Other Additions 



53 
56 
59 
62 
64 
66 
70 
72 
75 



PERIOD OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 

29. Classes of Territories . 

30. Tribal Government 

31. Dawes Commission and Curtis Act 

32. Oklahoma Organized . 

33. Under Territorial Government 

34. The Struggle for Statehood 



78 
80 
84 
86 
89 
92 



PERIOD OF STATEHOOD 

35. The Forty- sixth State 

36. Inauguration of State Government 

37. Under State Government . 

38. Industries of the State 

39. Development of the State . 

40. Education 



96 

98 
100 
104 
106 
108 



OKLAHOMA CIVICS 



1. 


Introduction . 


. 115 


2. 


The School District .... 


• 117 


3. 


Municipal Township .... 


. 119 


4. 


Incorporated Towns .... 


. 121 


5. 


Cities 


. 123 



Table of Contents 



vn 



LESSON 

6. The County 



7. Government of the State . 

8. Bill of Rights .... 

9. Legislative Department 

10. Initiative and Referendum 

11. Executive Department . 

12. Executive Department {Concluded) 

13. Judicial Department 

14. Elections 

15. Taxation 



PAGE 

125 
128 
130 
132 
134 
136 
139 
141 
144 
147 



APPENDIX A 

Territorial Officers 

Population of Five Civilized Tribes 
Area of Openings 



151 
151 
152 



APPENDIX B 
State Officers 153 



APPENDIX C 
State Institutions 

Population 

Ten Largest Cities 

Schools under Church Control 

Books of Reference 



156 
157 
157 
157 
158 



The Essential Facts of Oklahoma 

History 

PERIOD OF EXPLORATION 



LESSON 1 
SPANISH EXPLORATIONS 

The discoveries of Columbus not only gave Spain a claim 
on the New World, but they aroused the spirit of adventure 
and the lust for gold, traits which were exceptionally strong 
in the Spanish people. 

In 1 5 13 Balboa, in search for gold, discovered the Pacific 
Ocean and laid claim to all the lands touched by it. He 
claimed these undiscovered lands in the name of the king 
of Spain. 

The same year (1513) Ponce de Leon, in search for youth 
and fame, discovered Florida. 

Magellan, from 1519 to 1521, sailed on the Pacific Ocean, 
thereby giving Spain a better right to the lands 
washed by its waters. While Magellan was mak- ^ t0 t h e 
ing his famous voyage, Cortez was conquering i^?°7 ery of 
Mexico and robbing the Aztecs. 

The success of Cortez caused De Narvaez to undertake the 
conquest of Florida. In 1528 he landed at Tampa Bay and 
pushed northward, then westward, but failing to find gold, 
and meeting with many difficulties, he turned toward the 
south and reached the Gulf of Mexico, not far from Mobile 



2 Oklahoma History 

Bay. There he built some rude vessels and started for 
Mexico. The vessels were wrecked by a storm near the coast 
of Louisiana or Texas, and all the members of the expedition 
were drowned, except four men, De Vaca and three others. 

De Vaca was captured and held as a prisoner by the Indians, 
but after many hardships and narrow escapes, he succeeded 
in reaching the Spanish settlements in the western part of 
Mexico in 1536. During his wanderings De Vaca may have 
come within some two hundred miles of the Red River, but 
there is very little reason for thinking he reached the bound- 
aries of what is now Oklahoma. 

Like all other Spanish explorers in the New World, De Vaca 
never lost an opportunity to inquire for gold. The Indians 
Seven Cities told him there were several cities a long distance 
of Cibola j- |- ne northward where there was an abundance 

of gold. There had been an old legend among the people of 
Spain that far to the west was a land containing seven cities 
fabulously rich. It was easy for an imaginative people like 
the Spaniards to believe that the cities of which De Vaca 
heard must be the seven mentioned in the legend. 

In 1539 Mendoza, the viceroy of Mexico, sent a priest, 
Marcos de Nizza, on an expedition to learn whether the cities 
heard of by De Vaca really existed. The negro Stephen, one 
of the three companions of De Vaca, accompanied Marcos, 
and being anxious to gain the glory of rinding the cities, he 
hurried on ahead of Marcos. The negro reached the Zuni 
pueblos in the northwestern part of what is now New Mexico. 
The Indians, believing him to be a spy, put him to death. 
His companions hurried back and met Marcos, who, upon 
hearing of the death of Stephen, became so frightened that he 
returned to Mexico without going on to the cities which he 
supposed were the " Seven Cities of Cibola." However, when 



Spanish Explorations 3 

he reached Mexico, he reported that he had found the seven 
cities. 

The next year (1540) Coronado, the governor of the 
northwest province of Mexico, started out in search of the 
"Seven Cities." Before starting he obtained coronado's 
the consent, not only of Mendoza, but also of the i° urne y 
Emperor Charles V, who was also king of Spain. Coronado 
started from Culiacan near the west coast of Mexico, with 




Zuni Pueblo 

about three hundred Spaniards and a much larger number 
of Indians. He proceeded northward until he reached the 
Zuni pueblos, which he found to be built of adobe or mud 
walls. The cities were not well constructed, like those 
Cortez had conquered, nor had the Indians any gold worth 
mentioning. Marcos, who started out to guide the expedition, 
was forced to turn back for fear the disappointed soldiers 
would kill him. 

A fleet of vessels with supplies for Coronado followed 



4 Oklahoma History 

along the east coast of the Gulf of California until the 
mouth of the Colorado River was reached. The com- 
mander, Alarcon, finding that he was in a gulf and 
not on the Pacific Ocean, turned back. A detachment 
sent by Coronado to intercept the fleet and get supplies 
reached the upper part of the Gulf of California and learned 
that the fleet had been there and gone. Thinking the fleet 
had gone along the coast to the northward, Coronado sent 
another company westward when he reached the Zuni pueblos. 
This detachment discovered the Grand Canyon of the Colorado 
River and learned from the Indians near there that the Pacific 
is many hundred miles to the westward. 

Coronado was disappointed, but not disheartened. He 
obtained some supplies from the Indians by barter and by 
force and decided to continue his search. Following the 
guidance of an Indian whom the soldiers nicknamed the Turk, 
the expedition was led in a southeasterly direction until it 
reached a point in north-central Texas not far from the iooth 
meridian. Here the Turk was placed in chains, as it was 
evident that he had been misleading them. He afterward 
acknowledged that he had hoped to take them to a place 
where they would perish for lack of water and food. Later, 
for this treachery, the Turk was strangled. 

Another Indian with Coronado, whose home was in Quivira, 

was selected as guide. As their supplies were almost exhausted 

Coronado decided at this point to send the larger 

Quivira 

part of his army back to the valley of the Rio 
Grande, where they could obtain food. Then, taking thirty 
of his strongest, best-equipped men, Coronado proceeded 
northward across what is now Oklahoma, perhaps not far 
from where Lawton, El Reno, and Enid now are, until he 
reached the northern part of Kansas, near the present site of 



Spanish Explorations 5 

Manhattan. Here the guide, at his own request, was left. 
It seems that his home was in Quivira, and his only reason 
for wishing to be their guide was that he would be furnished 
a means of getting home, and food while on the way. 

Coronado, finding villages of grass tepees instead of cities 
of gold, started homeward. He went in a southwesterly 
direction, crossing what is now the Panhandle of Oklahoma, 
and reached the remainder of his army in New Mexico. 
From there he returned to Culiacan by the same route he had 
gone on his outward march. 

About the time (1541) Coronado was crossing Oklahoma, 
De Soto was approaching the Mississippi River. Some 
writers think Moscosco, the successor of De Soto, after the 
latter's death, may have entered the eastern part of what is 
now Oklahoma, but this is doubtful. It is also thought by 
some that Spanish priests established missions in the Wichita 
Mountains and that Spaniards engaged in mining in the same 
region, but we are not certain of either. We do know, however, 
that the Spaniards founded Santa Fe in 1605, and that they 
established settlements in what is now southern Texas in 
the early part of the eighteenth century. 

We may sum up the expeditions upon which Spain based 
her claim to the region comprising the present state of 
Oklahoma as follows : 

The discoveries of Columbus led to the expedi- Summary 
tions of Balboa and Ponce de Leon. 

The gold obtained by Balboa led to the conquests of Cortez 
and the voyage of Magellan. 

The glory and riches obtained by Cortez led to the attempts 
made by De Narvaez and De Soto. 

The wrecking of De Narvaez's ships led to the wanderings 
of De Vaca. 



6 Oklahoma History 

The story of De Vaca led to the expeditions of Marcos 
and Coronado. 

Coronado made a wonderful journey into an unknown land 
and actually passed through what is now Oklahoma, and was 
the first European to do so. 

Spain's claim, therefore, to this region was : ist, that Colum- 
bus discovered the New World ; 2d. that her explorers had 
been to the east, to the west, and to the south of Oklahoma ; 
3d, that Coronado had actually passed through it ; 4th, that 
settlements had been established at Santa Fe and on the Rio 
Grande in Texas. 

Questions. Who was the first European to enter what is now Okla- 
homa ? What led to his journey ? Trace his journey. Who was 
Marcos ? Tell about the wanderings of De Vaca. What brought the 
Spaniards to the New World ? What right had Spain to claim what is 
now Oklahoma ? What was the Spanish legend of the "Seven Cities" ? 
Locate the Wichita Mountains. 

Written Work. Write a description of the New Mexican pueblos. 
Write a story of the adventures of De Narvaez. A story of the con- 
quests of Cortez. 

Readings. "Journey of Coronado," by G. P. Winship. "Colonial 
Fights and Fighters," Part I, by Cyrus T. Brady. 



LESSON 2 
FRENCH EXPLORATIONS 

French fishermen, hearing of the abundance of fish in the 
waters near Newfoundland, through the reports of the 
Cabots, began to fish along the coast as early as 1503. Denys 
entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1504. 

Among the first explorers to make very extensive explora- 



French Explorations 



7 



tions was Verrazano, who in 1524 explored the Atlantic 
Coast from the Carolinas to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Cartier (1535) ascended the St. Lawrence River to the 
present site of Montreal. In 161 5 Champlain discovered 
Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. With this start Mississippi 
other French explorers soon made their way to basin 
the other Great Lakes. Marquette and Joliet were the first 
to cross from the Great Lakes to 
the Mississippi River. This they 
did in 1673, an d they followed 
the river down to the mouth of 
the Arkansas River. Later (1682) 
La Salle succeeded in reaching 
the mouth of the "Father of 
Waters." He formally took pos- 
session of the entire Mississippi 
basin in the name of Louis XIV 
of France. Hoping to establish a 
colony at the mouth of the river, he returned to France, 
organized an expedition, and set sail again for the New World. 
But he missed the mouth of the Mississippi River and landed 
at Matagorda Bay on the coast of Texas in 1685. Near that 
bay he built Fort St. Louis on the La Vaca River. Two 
years later La Salle, while trying to reach the Mississippi 
River, was killed by one of his own men. Soon after, his 
colony, which was the first one established in that region, was 
destroyed by the Indians. 

Iberville established Biloxi (1699) in the southern part of 
Mississippi. This colony was moved to the present site 
of Mobile in 1702. Bienville founded New Orleans in 
1718. 

Saint-Denis led an expedition across Texas to the Rio 




Robert Cavelier de La Salle 



8 Oklahoma History 

Grande in 17 14. Du Tissenet led an exploration through 
Missouri and, no doubt, entered eastern Kansas (17 19), but 
there is no good reason for thinking he was in Oklahoma. 
About the same time La Harpe ascended the Red River, and 
two years later he went up the Arkansas River. It is not 
certain that he entered Oklahoma, but it is more than likely 
that he did. 

From the founding of New Orleans (17 18) to the close of the 
French and Indian War (1763) many Frenchmen were engaged 
French in in hunting, trapping, and trading for furs along the 
Oklahoma streams running into the Mississippi River from 
the west. The fact that the French got along well with the 
Indians, and that they were unusually successful in penetrating 
unknown regions, is sufficient proof that they entered the 
present limits of our state. Then, many streams in the eastern 
part of the state have French names ; for example : Poteau, 
Grand, Illinois, and San Bois. 

To summarize the expeditions which led the French toward 
Oklahoma, and gave France some right to this region, we have 
the following : 

Denys entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence (1504), Cartier 
ascended the St. Lawrence River to Montreal (1535), Cham- 
plain reached Lake Huron (161 5), Marquette 

Summary 

entered the Mississippi basin (1673), La Salle 
found the mouth of that river (1682). The French estab- 
lished colonies at Fort St. Louis (1685), Mobile (1702), 
and at New Orleans (17 18). They explored to the south, 
to the east, and to the north of what is now Oklahoma, 
and undoubtedly entered its limits, and trapped along its 
streams. 

France, therefore, claimed this region : 1st, because a French- 
man discovered the mouth of the river which drains it; 



American Explorations 9 

2d, because her explorers had been on three sides of it; 
3d, because her countrymen had made use of it. 

Questions. What discoveries were made by Verrazano? Who 
was the first European to ascend the St. Lawrence River? Who found 
the way to Lake Huron? Trace his route. What Frenchman found 
the way to the Mississippi River ? Who discovered its mouth ? What 
settlements were made in the lower Mississippi vaUey? What right 
had France to claim the lands now included in Oklahoma? 

Written Work. Write an article setting forth the reasons the Indians 
were usually friendly to the French. Write on this subject, " The French 
along the Streams." Write on, " The Jesuits." 

Readings. " Evangeline," by Longfellow. " Historic Towns of the 
Southern States " (Mobile and New Orleans), by Lyman Powell. " His- 
tory of Louisiana," by Albert Phelps. 



LESSON 3 
AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS 

Soon after the United States obtained possession of Louisi- 
ana, expeditions were sent out to explore the new addition to 
our territory. Lewis and Clark left 
St. Louis in 1804, ascended the Mis- 
souri River, and reached the Pacific 
Coast by way of the Columbia River. 

Zebulon M. Pike started from St. 
Louis (1806), crossed what is now Mis- 
souri and Kansas and eastern Colo- 
rado, and discovered the peak that 
bears his name. Then, while at- 
tempting to discover the source of 
the Red River, he pushed on to the 
Rio Grande, where he was taken prisoner by the Spanish and 
sent back to the United States by way of New Orleans. 




Lieut. Zebulon Montgomery 
Pike. 



i o Oklahoma History 

Lieutenant James Wilkinson, a member of Pike's expedition, 
was permitted to return on account of illness. When this 
expedition reached the Arkansas River near the present site 
of Great Bend, Kansas, Wilkinson descended that river, 
passing through what is now Oklahoma (1806). This was 
undoubtedly the first American exploring party to pass through 
lands now included in Oklahoma. 

Then George C. Sibley, a United States Indian agent, made 
a trip to the salt plains in the region of the Cimarron and the 
Salt Fork of the Arkansas (1810). Fort Smith, Arkansas, was 
established on the Arkansas River at the mouth of the Poteau, 
near the eastern boundary of Oklahoma, by Major Stephen H. 
Long (18 1 7). A trading post was set up at the mouth of the 
Verdigris River as early as 18 18. Whether it was established 
by Colonel Hugh Glenn, then abandoned and later occupied by 
A. P. Chouteau, or was operated by Glenn for Chouteau 
seems not to be known positively. 

Major William Bradford, in 1819, led an expedition to drive 
out intruders who had settled in the valley of the Kiamitia 
River. With him was Thomas Nuttall, a Harvard botanist, 
who has left an account of many interesting experiences in 
this new country. Nuttall afterward went up the Arkansas 
and some of its tributaries, looking for new specimens of 
plant life. 

Another explorer who tried to trace the Red River was 
Major Stephen H. Long. He followed the Platte River to the 
base of the Rocky Mountains. He then went southward 
until he reached the Canadian River, which he mistook for 
the Red River. He descended the Canadian River to the 
Arkansas River which he followed to Fort Smith. Fort Gibson 
was established (1824) near the mouth of the Grand River, 
some eight miles from the present site of Muskogee, and a 



American Explorations 



i i 



little later the same year Fort Towson was established not far 
from the mouth of the Kiamitia River. 

Expeditions into this region now became more frequent. 
Among the most interesting is the one described by Washing- 
ton Irving in his " Tour of the Prairies." A commissioner 
was sent out to look over the country west of Fort Gibson to 
determine whether that country was a fit place to settle 
Indians which the government wished to move from the eastern 
states. The commissioner invited Ir- 
ving to go along. Captain Boone com- 
manded the mounted men who were to 
accompany the commissioner. Another 
member of the company was an English 
writer, Charles J. Latrobe, who describes 
the journey in "The Rambler in North 
America in 1832 and 1833." The ex- 
pedition left Fort Gibson in October, 
1832 and returned to that fort a month 
later, after going as far west perhaps as 
Kingfisher and Canadian counties. Irving tells, in his de- 
lightfully entertaining manner, of many interesting incidents 
and scenes. 

Another expedition, worthy of mention, was that of General 
Henry Leavenworth, who escorted Montfort Stokes, special 
commissioner to the Indians, to the vicinity of the 

. . . George Catlin 

Wicnita Mountains. This was in 1834, and the 
purpose of the commissioner was to bring about friendly 
relations between the Kiowas and the Osages which were 
hostile to each other, and to induce the Plains Indians to make 
treaties with the Eastern Indians who were then removing to 
the eastern part of the Indian Territory. The most impor ant 
thing in connection with this expedition is that George 




Washington Irving 



i 2 Oklahoma History 

Catlin, the celebrated painter of Indians and Indian scenes, 
was with the party and made a number of valuable paintings 
which preserve to us a correct idea of how the Indian on his 
native soil really appeared. 

As has been stated before, three attempts had been made to 
trace the source of the Red River. Captain Sparks (1806) 
Source of the had been turned back by the Spanish, Lieutenant 
Red River Pike (1806) was taken prisoner by the Spanish, and 
Major Long had mistaken the Canadian for the Red River. 
Captain Randolph Marcy (1852) was ordered to trace the 
Red River to its source. He started with his men from Fort 
Belknap on the Brazos River in Texas and proceeded to the 
Red River near the mouth of Cache Creek. From there he 
went up the Red River, following the North Fork to its source. 
He then searched for and found the source of the main river. 
While exploring the river, he passed through the Wichita 
Mountains. In his report to the War Department he gives 
much interesting information about the country through 
which he passed. Captain George B. McClellan of the 
Engineer Corps, afterwards Commander of the Army of the 
Potomac, was with Marcy on this expedition. 

Questions. Who was the first American explorer to pass through 
Oklahoma? Trace his journey. Name the attempts to find the source 
of the Red River. Who succeeded in locating the source of the Red 
River? Who was Irving? What did he write? Which of his works 
have you read? 

Written Work. Write a brief review of " Tour of the Prairies." Write 
about the work of George Catlin. Write a sketch of Zebulon M. Pike 

Readings. " Tour of the Prairies," by Washington Irving. " Thirty 
Years of Army Life," by Randolph B. Marcy. 



Ownership of Oklahoma i 3 

LESSON 4 
OWNERSHIP OF OKLAHOMA 

As has already been seen, the region now included in our 
state was claimed by different peoples. The Spanish claimed 
it because they had discovered America, — their explorers had 
been to the east, to the south, and to the west of it ; Coronado 
and his men had really planted their feet upon its soil. But 
from the time the Spanish failed to find gold in Quivira they 
paid little attention to this part of the country and really 
lost their right to it by abandoning it. 

The French claimed it because it was drained by the Missis- 
sippi River, the mouth of which they had discovered, and near 
which they had founded a settlement (New claims to 
Orleans). They actually began settlement, not 0klahoma 
in Oklahoma, but in the Mississippi basin, although they had 
trapped and traded within its borders. 

The English claimed it because, having taken possession 
of the Atlantic Coast, they claimed the land between parallel 
lines, west to the Pacific Ocean. Based upon this assumed 
right, the Crown (1609) granted lands to the London Company 
which included the greater part of our present state. The 
grant of the Carolinas in 1663 included all of our state. But 
the English claim was hardly based upon any real right, as 
they had not even seen the country. 

Of the three countries mentioned, France seems to have had 
the best claims. The Indians really had the first right to it, 
at least first in point of time. But when these claims were 
being asserted, European people had little respect for Indian 
rights. Then there is some question as to whether any 
Indians really occupied this region as a home. The Wichitas 
claimed that they had lived near the Wichita Mountains for 



14 Oklahoma History 

three hundred years before the Americans began to explore 
that part of the Louisiana Purchase. According to early 
accounts a division of the Osages occupied the northeastern 
part of this state and the Quapaws claimed the country south 
of the Osages. These three tribes had some right to the lands 
mentioned, no doubt. Several other tribes, including the 
Kaws, Pawnees, and Kiowas, hunted and warred within its 
boundaries. 

After the Indians, the title to the lands in our state, as far 
west as the iooth meridian, was in France. At the close of 
Title to the French and Indian War (1763) France trans- 

Okiahoma ferred her lands west of the Mississippi River 
(Louisiana) to Spain. In 1800, by secret treaty, Spain ceded 
Louisiana to France, and in 1803 France sold the same tract 
to the United States. By the purchase of Louisiana the 
United States really bought the Panhandle of Oklahoma, but 
by the treaty made with Spain (18 19) the United States 
accepted the iooth meridian as the western boundary between 
the Red and the Arkansas rivers. So the Panhandle of 
Oklahoma remained Spanish territory until Mexico gained its 
ndependence (182 1). It was a part of Mexico until Texas 
became independent (1836) and was added to the United 
States by the annexation of Texas (1845). 

By the terms of the treaty of annexation, Texas was to 
have no slaves north of 36 30', or the part of the state north 
of that line was to be separated from Texas. Texas decided 
to dispose of this part north of 3 6° 30' as well as a large tract 
west of the 103d meridian. By one of the provisions of the 
Compromise Bill of 1850 the United States paid Texas 
$10,000,000 for the lands so given up. This strip of land 
between 36 30' and 37 north latitude, and between the iooth 
and 103d meridians was added to Oklahoma Territory (1890) 



Ownership of Oklahoma i 5 

by the Organic Act, which was an act or bill passed by Con- 
gress, organizing Oklahoma as a territory. 

This strip or panhandle before its addition to Oklahoma 
was called officially the Public Land Strip by the United States, 
but it was commonly known as "No Man's Land ; " for it was 
a part of no state or territory and had no government recog- 
nized by the United States. When the Cherokees were 
moved to their western home, they were given the land known 
as the Cherokee Outlet as far west as the 100th meridian. 
This formed the eastern boundary of No Man's Land. When 
Texas was annexed, she gave up the land north of 3 6° 30'. 
This formed the southern boundary. When New Mexico 
Territory was organized by one of the provisions of the Com- 
promise Bill of 1850, its eastern boundary (103d meridian) 
became the western boundary of No Man's Land. When 
Kansas was organized as a territory by the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill (1854), the southern line of Kansas (37°) became the north 
line of No Man's Land. Hence, this strip of land, 34 miles 
wide by 168 miles long, was left like a scrap of cloth when a 
garment has been cut out. 

To summarize, the transfers of title to the lands which 
form Oklahoma west to the 100th meridian were : Indians by 
living and hunting there ; France by occupation and assuming 
control (1718) ; France to Spain (1763) by treaty; Spain to 
France (1800) by secret treaty ; France to the United States 
(1803) by sale. 

Panhandle of Oklahoma : Spain by exploration (1541), then 
settlement at Santa Fe (1605) ; Spain to Mexico (182 1), 
independence ; Mexico to Texas, independence ; Texas to 
the United States, annexation. 

Questions. What Indians had their homes in Oklahoma? In what 
part of Oklahoma did they live ? What real right did they have to the 



1 6 Oklahoma History 

lands they occupied? Trace the title of Oklahoma, east of the iooth 
meridian, from the Indians to the United States. Trace the title to 
the Panhandle from Spain to the Territory of Oklahoma. What right 
did England have to Oklahoma? How did the Missouri Compromise 
of 1850 affect its boundaries? The Kansas-Nebraska Bill? 

Written Work. Set forth in writing the reasons why Spain had a 
strong claim to the lands included in Oklahoma. State in writing why 
France had a better right to these lands. Give brief biographies of: 
Columbus, De Soto, Coronado, Champlain, Marquette, La Salle, Pike, 
Marcy, Irving, Catlin. 



PERIOD OF REMOVAL OF THE FIVE 
CIVILIZED TRIBES 



LESSON 5 
REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEES 

The idea of locating the Indians in a territory by themselves 
was set forth in a treaty made by the United States with the 
Delawares in 1778. Jefferson, in giving his reasons for pur- 
chasing Louisiana, mentions the desirability of placing the 
Indians by themselves at some distance from the whites. 
Many of the leading men of the country and some of the 
missionaries among the Indians favored removing the Indians 
to some territory west of the Mississippi River where they 
would not be so likely to acquire the vices of the whites. 

On May 28, 1830, the President approved an act of Con- 
gress providing for the establishment of the Indian Territory- 
This Indian country was rather indefinitely Planan 
bounded, but included all of the country west of Indian 
Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, as far west as the 
United States extended, or to the Rocky Mountains. Okla- 
homa without the Panhandle, Kansas, Nebraska, and the 
Dakotas have since been carved out of it. 

The Cherokees, an important tribe of the Iroquoian group 
of Indians, at the time of the first English settlements possessed 
a large country, extending from a short distance west of the 
Carolina and Virginia settlements almost to the Mississippi 
River. By 1830 they had disposed of the larger part of their 

17 



i8 



Oklahoma History 




John Ross 



lands, and what they still owned was northern Georgia, 
northeastern Alabama, southeastern Tennessee, and western 
North Carolina. A good many whites had intermarried 
with them, and a large number of the tribe had settled down 
to peaceful pursuits. 

When the United States became in- 
dependent, the state of Georgia ex- 
tended to the Mississippi River. It 
was the desire of the United States that 
Georgia should give up all her lands 
west of her present limits. In 1802 
Georgia ceded her western lands to the 
United States with the understanding 
that the Indians would be removed from 
the state as soon as it could be done 
peaceably. 
As many of the Cherokees were opening up and improving 
farms, it became evident to the people of Georgia that it would 
Georgia urges become more and more difficult to have them 
removal removed. And as the Cherokees had a tribal 

government, it was a case of a state within a state which 
is an unsatisfactory arrangement. Further the people of 
Georgia thought the Cherokees had more good land than 
they could use. And the whites wanted to dig for gold on 
these lands. 

For these reasons the Georgians became very impatient to 
have the Indians removed. 

While the Federal Government was under promise to move 
the Indians, it was reluctant to do so by force. The state 
passed laws against the Cherokees and the whites who dwelt 
among them. One law was that any white person living 
among the Indians should take an oath to support the laws of 



Removal of the Cherokees 19 

the state and should obtain a license. Two missionaries were 
sent to the penitentiary for violating that law. They ap- 
pealed their case to the Supreme Court of the United States 
and that Court through its Chief Justice, John Marshall, 
decided that the men could not be legally held, but should be 
discharged. The state refused to release them, and President 
Jackson would not interfere. After serving sixteen months, 
they were liberated by the governor. 

Some of the Cherokees, under the leadership of Major 
Ridge, his son John, and Elias Boudinot, began to favor 
removal, thinking that they would be forced to NewEchota 
move sooner or later. United States commis- Treat y 
sioners called a council of the Cherokees to meet in December, 
1835, at New Echota, the capital of the Cherokee Nation 
East. The Ridges, Boudinot, and a few others attended. A 
treaty for removal was agreed upon and signed by six Indians, 
with the understanding that it was not to become effective 
until signed by the Ross delegation then in Washington. 
John Ross and his party refused to sign the treaty, but it was 
ratified by the United States Senate the next year, and the 
Cherokees were ordered to move to the new lands assigned 
them in the Indian Territory. 

Questions. What land was held by the Cherokees when Jamestown 
was settled? What land did they own in 1830? What agreement did 
the United States make with Georgia in 1802 ? Why did not the United 
States keep its promise? Why was Georgia not willing for the Chero- 
kees to stay where they were ? What law did Georgia make to apply to 
white men among the Indians ? Why was that law made ? Who was 
John Marshall? 

Written Work. Write on Georgia's treatment of the Cherokees. 
The New Echota Treaty. 

Readings. Read about De Soto among the Cherokees in " Border 
Fights and Fighters," Part I, by Brady. 



20 



Oklahoma History 



LESSON 6 



REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEES (Concluded) 

The Cherokees refused to go, and remained in their homes 
until removed in 1838 by General Winfield Scott with an army 
of two thousand men. This is one of the saddest chapters in 
American History. Some sixteen thousand men, women, and 
children were forcibly ejected from their homes and escorted 
to the west. About four thousand perished on the way. 

It may be implied from a statement 
already made, that there was at this time 
a Cherokee Nation West. Before the 
American Revolution a good many Scotch 
and English had intermarried with the 
Cherokees. Being loyal to Great Britain, 
they had helped to influence the Cherokees 
to take sides with the English during the 
Revolution. After the close of the war 
the United States made a treaty with the 
Cherokees, at which time many presents 
were distributed among the Indians. A small party of 
the Indians departed for their home and on the way fell 
in with some white traders who were going down the 
Tennessee River. The traders sold whisky to the Indians, 
and while the latter were under the influence of the 
liquor, secured about everything the Government had 
given the Indians, giving in return nothing of much value. 
When the Indians had recovered from the effects of the liquor, 
they wanted to trade back. The whites refusing, a number of 
shots were exchanged, and as a result the white men were 
killed. Bowl, the leader of the party of Indians, and his fol- 




W infield Scott 



Removal of the Cherokees 21 

lowers, fearing the government authorities, fled to Arkansas 
(1785), which was then outside of the United States. From 
time to time other Cherokees followed. Between 1809 and 
181 7 large numbers went west. 

In 181 7 the United States having come into possession of 
that country, the Government granted the Cherokee Nation 
West a tract of land between the White and Arkansas rivers. 
At that time there were about six thousand of them. Then 
the people of Arkansas began to feel the same way toward the 
Western Cherokees that the people of Georgia did toward 
their eastern brethern. In 1828 the United States induced 
the Cherokees in Arkansas to move into the Indian Territory. 

As has already been stated the eastern division was brought 
west in 1838 or ten years later. In 1839 a Constitution was 
adopted for the united Cherokee Nation and 

1 ..,.-, United Nation 

John Ross was chosen principal chief. But there 
were factions among them for many years. The Western 
Cherokees, having come into the Indian Territory ten years 
earlier, were known as the "Old Settlers." Then there was a 
Ridge faction made up of those who favored the treaty. The 
Ridges and Elias Boudinot were assassinated in 1839, because 
they favored removal and had signed the treaty. 

The Cherokees were given a large tract of land in the north- 
eastern part of what is now Oklahoma as their home. They 
were also given a strip of land fifty-eight miles wide, extending 
along the northern portion of the state from the 96th to the 
100th meridian, as an outlet to the mountains. 

Questions. Who was Winfield Scott? Who ordered him to move 
the Cherokees? How many Cherokees died on the way? During what 
time of year was the removal? What was the Cherokee Nation West? 
Who were the " Old Settler " Cherokees? What other factions among 
the Cherokees ? W T hat is a faction ? Where were the Cherokees located 



22 Oklahoma History 

in the Indian Territory ? Who was elected principal chief of the United 
Nation ? 

Written Work. Write a description of the removal of the Cherokees. 
How the Cherokee Nation West was formed. 

Reading. Life of General Winfield Scott. 



LESSON 7 ! 

REMOVAL OF THE CREEKS 

The Creeks, or, as they called themselves, Muscogees, 
originally occupied a large part of Georgia and Alabama, just 
south of the Cherokees. They aided the English during the 
Revolution, also during the War of 1812. At the close of 
the latter war they were forced to give up part of their lands. 
When the agitation for the removal of the southern Indians 
began in real earnest, part of the Creek lands were in Georgia, 
but the larger part in Alabama, directly south of the Cherokees. 

At the urgent request of the people of Georgia, a treaty 
was negotiated by the United States, with William Mcintosh 
Removal from and a few other Creeks (1825), by which a few 
Georgia Creeks, claiming to represent the tribe, ceded to 

the United States their lands in Georgia. The whites moved 
upon the Creek lands without waiting for the legality of the 
treaty to be determined. The Creeks, feeling outraged by the 
treachery of Mcintosh and his associates, assassinated them 
and withdrew to the Creek lands in Alabama. But the people 
in Alabama were just as anxious to get rid of the Indians as 
were the people of Georgia. 

Gradually the Creeks became convinced that they would 
some time be compelled to move. In 1832 they made a treaty 



Removal of the Choctaws and Chickasaws 23 

ceding their lands in Alabama to the United States, and 
agreeing to move to the lands assigned to them in Indian 
Territory. By this agreement they were not to Removal 
move at once, but as the whites rushed upon their Indian 
lands without waiting for them to be surveyed, 
the Creeks were forced to go sooner than they expected. 
Most of them went within a few years after the treaty. 

The lands assigned the Creeks in the Indian Territory, and 
to which they moved after the treaty made in 1832, were 
south of the Cherokee Outlet, west of the Cherokee Nation 
proper, and north of the Canadian River. Chilly Mcintosh 
and the Coweta band of Creeks had moved to these lands 
soon after the assassination of William Mcintosh, the father 
of Chilly. 

Questions. What land did the Creeks own when America was first 
settled? What lands were theirs in 1825? Why were these Indians 
called Creeks? What did they call themselves? Who was William 
Mcintosh? What can you say of him? What lands were assigned to 
the Creeks in the Indian Territory? 

Written Work. Write a description of the country through which 
the Creeks passed in going to the Indian Territory. Write your opinion 
of William Mcintosh. 



LESSON 8 

REMOVAL OF THE CHOCTAWS AND 
CHICKASAWS 

The Choctaws were Mobilian Indians whose home was in 
the central part of Mississippi, extending into Alabama. 
De Soto had trouble with them. They were mostly on the side 
of Great Britain during the Revolution, but aided the United 
States during the War of 181 2. 



24 Oklahoma History 

Mississippi, like Georgia, desired to get rid of the Indian 
governments within her jurisdiction. In order to do so the 
Mississippi l aws of the state (1830) were made binding upon 
for removal the Choctaws. The Indians, feeling that this 
would eventually break up their nation, reluctantly agreed to 
give up their lands and move. 

They had already given up part of their lands (1820) and 
had received in return lands between the Red and the Canadian 
rivers in Indian Territory. Then by the Treaty of Dancing 
Rabbit Creek (1830) they gave up the rest of their lands east 
of the Mississippi River and began to move to their new lands 
in the west. They were not forced to move at one time, but 
when a number were ready to go, the Government carried 
them by steamboat up the Arkansas River to their new home. 
A few Choctaws were permitted to remain in Mississippi. 

The Chickasaws, a kindred tribe to the Choctaws, lived in 

northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. They were 

more warlike than the Choctaws, and during the 

Chickasaws . 

Revolution they helped the English. In 181 8 they 
sold their lands in Tennessee. In 1830 the state of Mississippi 
made the Chickasaws subject to the laws of the state as it did 
the Choctaws. The Indians claimed this to be very unjust 
as they could not understand English or the laws of the state. 
On account of this treatment they signed the treaty of Ponto- 
toc Creek (1832), giving up their lands in Mississippi and 
promising to move west. The whites as usual were so im- 
patient to go upon the lands that they could not wait for the 
Indians to move, but really crowded the Indians out. 

In 1837 the Chickasaws made an arrangement with the 
Choctaws by which they were to give the Choctaws $530,000 
for a district in the lands of the latter, and each tribe was 
to have equal rights in the tribal government. Later a dis- 






Removal of the Seminoles 25 

agreement arose between the tribes as to the meaning of 
equal rights. The Chickasaws claimed it to mean that 
their tribe was to have as much power in the _.. , 

^ Chickasaws 

government as the Choctaw tribe had. The separate from 
Choctaws claimed the tribes were to have equal 
rights according to the population. The Chickasaw tribe 
was much smaller than the Choctaw tribe. In 1855 the 
matter was settled by the United States. The Chickasaws 
were to pay the Choctaws $150,000, were to govern their own 
district, and were to be separated politically from the Choctaws. 

Questions. What was the home of the Choctaws east of the Missis- 
sippi River? Why did Mississippi want to get rid of the Indians? 
Why did the Indians object to being under the laws of the state ? What 
was the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek? What lands were given to 
the Choctaws in Indian Territory ? How were the Choctaws moved ? 
What was the home of the Chickasaws east of the Mississippi River? 
What arrangement did the Chickasaws make with the Choctaws in 1837 ? 
What trouble arose between them later? How was it settled? 

Written Work. Write your opinion of Mississippi's attitude toward 
the Indians. Write a brief biography of Pushmataha. 



LESSON 9 
REMOVAL OF THE SEMINOLES 

The Seminole tribe was formed of runaway Creeks and 
remnants of tribes with which the Spanish had come into 
contact. The Seminoles were against the Americans during 
the Revolution and during the War of 181 2. Trouble with 
these Indians caused General Andrew Jackson to invade Flor- 
ida in 1818. 

By a treaty made in 1832 the Seminoles agreed to give up 
their lands in Florida and move west, but many of them were 



26 



Oklahoma History 



unwilling to be bound by the treaty and refused to leave 
Florida. In 1835 the Government attempted to remove them 
Resented by force. A war followed, lasting almost seven 
removal years, which cost the United States nearly fif- 

teen hundred lives and about $10,000,000. Osceola, their 
leader, was one of the most powerful of Indian chiefs. 
Finally he was captured by treachery and kept in prison 
until he died. His followers were overcome and removed 

to the Indian Territory (1842), where 
they were settled on the lands of their 
kinsmen, the Creeks. 

Being fewer in number than the 
Creeks, they had but little power in the 
tribal government. They were dis- 
satisfied also because they felt that they 
would soon lose their identity as a 
nation. In 1856 the government suc- 
ceeded in having a part of the Creek 
lands set apart for the Seminoles as 
their own. Their lands were bounded 




Osceola. (After Cat/in) 



on the north by the North Canadian River and the Cherokee 
Outlet, on the south by the South Canadian River, and they 
extended from a point near the 97th meridian to the Texas line. 

In brief the Five Civilized Tribes formerly held most of the 
region east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Ohio 
River to the coast. 

During the early part of the nineteenth century the southern 
states, Georgia taking the lead, took steps to force these 
tribes to remove to the west. The states ob- 
jected to having independent Indian states 
within their borders. The whites also thought the Indians 
had more good land than they needed or could use. 



Summary 



Removal of the Seminoles 27 

The Cherokees were moved from Georgia, Alabama, Tennes- 
see, and North Carolina to the northeastern part of the Indian 
Territory (1838) ; the Western Cherokees from Arkansas 
to the Indian Territory (1828). The Creeks were moved 
from Georgia to Alabama (1825) ; a few of them went to the 
central part of the Indian Territory at that time. The main 
body of the Creeks was moved from Alabama to the west in 
1832. The Choctaws moved from Mississippi to the south- 
ern part of the Indian Territory (1830). The Chickasaws 
moved from northern Mississippi to the Choctaw lands in 
Indian Territory (1837). The Seminoles were moved from 
Florida to the Creek lands in the Indian Territory (1842). 
Four of the tribes moved reluctantly but peaceably to their 
new homes. The Seminoles fought desperately against 
removal, but were finally overcome after seven years of fight- 
ing. 

The Chickasaws were given separate tribal government in 

i855- 

The Seminoles were separated from the Creeks and given 
their own lands in 1856. 

Questions. Who were the Seminoles? Where was their eastern 
home ? Who was their great leader ? When were the Seminoles moved 
west? What did the Seminole war cost the United States? Why did 
the Seminoles want to be separated from the Creeks ? What lands were 
they given? Why did the Chickasaws want a separate government 
from the Choctaws ? Where was the eastern home of each of the tribes ? 
The western home of each ? When was each moved ? Why ? 

Written Work. Write a brief account of the Seminole war. Write 
a biography of Osceola. Write an account of the purchase of Florida. 



PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR IN INDIAN 
TERRITORY 



LESSON 10 
CIVILIZED TRIBES JOIN THE CONFEDERACY 

The misunderstanding between the North and the South 
which led to the Civil War was a quarrel in which the Five 
Civilized Tribes were not directly interested, but they were 
soon drawn into it. 

For several reasons their sympathies were with the South. 

All of the tribes held slaves. By location they were a part 

of the South. They were bounded on the east 

Reason for 

joining the and on the south and on the west by slave 
Confederacy states> Many whites from the southern states 
had intermarried with the Indians. They had been as- 
sociated more with southern people, and the civilized 
ways which they had acquired were learned from southern 
people. When the war began, the Federal troops were 
withdrawn from the Indian Territory, which may have caused 
the Indians to feel as if they had been abandoned by the 
Federal Government. The Indian agents were mostly south- 
ern men, and the commissioners from the Confederacy, es- 
pecially Albert Pike, were very active and had great in- 
fluence with the Indians. 

The two southern tribes, the Choctaws and the Chickasaws, 
were almost unanimously in favor of the South. The Choctaw 
Council decided, February 7, 1861, but three days after the 

28 



Civilized Tribes join the Confederacy 29 

Confederacy was formed, that they would go with the South, 
should the Union be permanently dissolved. The Chickasaw 
legislature, May 13, 1861, less than a month after the fall 
of Fort Sumter, withdrew their allegiance to the United States 
and declared their friendship for the South. 

The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were divided almost 
equally in their sympathies for the Union and for the Confed- 
eracy. The Cherokees, however, were not divided r oss an d 
solely on the question of secession. The Ross Ridge 
and the Ridge factions had much to do with the division. 
The Ridge faction which had favored removal to the west was 
not bitter in its feelings toward Georgia and the other southern 
states. The members of that faction, under the leadership of 
Stand Watie, favored an alliance with the Confederacy. Ross 
advised neutrality. However, he called a convention to de- 
cide the matter. The convention met August 21, 1861, 
and declared in favor of an alliance with the Confederacy. 
Ross reluctantly yielded. 

The Creeks were divided in much the same way. As 
stated before, William Mcintosh was assassinated because 
he favored removal from Georgia. His sons, D. N. Mcintosh 
and Chilly Mcintosh, now espoused the southern cause and 
became colonel and lieutenant colonel of a Creek regiment. 
Yo-ho-la, the leader of the Creeks, who had put to death the 
elder Mcintosh, took the side of the Union. 

General Albert Pike, the commissioner appointed by the 
Confederacy to secure treaties with the Indians, met delegates 
from the Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws, and Chickasaws, 
August 1, 1 86 1, and formed treaties of alliance and friendship 
with them. A little later Pike made treaties at the Wichita 
Agency (Anadarko) with representatives of the Wichita, 
Caddo, Comanche, Tonkawa, and other tribes. In October 



30 Oklahoma History 

he concluded treaties with the members of the Osage, Qua- 
paw, Seneca, and Shawnee tribes. By these agreements the 
Indian Territory was made a part of the Confederacy. 

Questions. In the Civil War, which side did the Five Civilized 
Tribes take? Give their reasons for taking that side. How did the 
Choctaws and Chickasaws stand as to the side they should take? Tell 
how the Cherokees came to be divided into factions. What had divided 
the Creeks into factions? When and where was the Confederacy organ- 
ized? Where was the capital at the beginning of the war? Who was 
Albert Pike ? Locate the Wichita Agency. What is an Indian Agency ? 

Written Work. Write brief biographies of John Ross, Major Ridge, 
Yo-ho-la, and William Mcintosh. 



LESSON 11 
EVENTS OF 1861 AND 1862 

At the opening of the war there were but few Federal 
troops in the Indian Territory, They were distributed among 
a number of forts a long distance from each 
withdraw other. Lieutenant Colonel William H. Emory 
fromindian wag ^e commanding officer in this department. 
These forts were so far away from an important 
Federal center that it was difficult to reenforce the small 
garrisons or to send them supplies. Not able to withstand 
the forces of the Confederates, which were far superior to his in 
numbers, there was nothing left for Colonel Emory to do but 
to collect the garrisons from Forts Smith, Washita, Arbuckle, 
and Cobb and march to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, a distance 
of four hundred miles. The Indian Territory was then 
practically in the hands of the Confederacy. 

When the Federal troops withdrew from Fort Cobb, many of 
the Indians at the Wichita Agency followed the troops north- 



Events of i 86 1 and 1862 31 

ward. Among them were the Caddo, Wichita, and Delaware 
tribes. The Confederates soon overran the Territory. Little 
effort was made on the part of the North to hold the Indian 
Territory, except that which was made by the loyal Indians, 
especially the Creeks under Yo-ho-la. 

During 1861 no important battles were fought in the 
Indian Territory. Yo-ho-la with his Creeks was defeated by 
Colonel Douglas H. Cooper at Bird Creek, a few 

•i .irT r m 1 a 1 861, Battles 

miles north 01 the present site 01 lulsa. A f Bird Creek 
week later Yo-ho-la was defeated at Shoal andShoal 

Creek 

Creek. 

In 1862 Generals Curtis and Siegel, with about ten thousand 
Union men, carried the war into Arkansas. At Pea Ridge 
they encountered a somewhat larger force of Battle of 
Confederates under Generals Van Dorn, Price, and Pea Rld s e 
McCulloch, March 6, 1862. This battle was in Arkansas, yet 
it had a very important bearing upon affairs in the Indian 
Territory. According to the agreements made between the 
Confederacy and the Indians, the latter were not compelled 
to go out of the Territory to fight. However, an Indian 
brigade under General Albert Pike was with the Confederate 
forces in this battle, which was the largest and most desperate 
battle in which the Indians took part during the war. The 
Confederates were defeated, and this had a demoralizing 
effect upon the Indians. 

In June, 1862, Colonel Weir, with a body of Union men, 
marched from southeastern Kansas into the Cherokee country. 
The principal chief, John Ross, was taken prisoner. Ross really 
preferred to remain neutral, but he and many other Cherokees 
were favorably inclined toward the North. They had not 
forgotten that Georgia and some of the other southern states 
had forced the Indians from their former homes. About this 



32 Oklahoma History 

time the Confederates transferred many of their men from 
Arkansas to the east side of the Mississippi River to aid in 
checking Grant's advance toward Vicksburg. The Cherokee 
Nation was thus left exposed to the armies of the North and 
had apparently been abandoned by the Confederates. 

Without accomplishing much Colonel Weir withdrew from 
the Territory, and the Confederates again entered the Cherokee 
capital. They deposed Ross as principal chief and elected 
Stand Watie to that position. The Cherokees who were 
loyal to the Union still considered Ross their chief, while 
those who favored the Confederacy looked to Stand Watie. 
Ross went to Washington and did not return to the Territory 
until the close of the war. 

In October, 1862, General James G. Blunt, with a Union army, 
marched south into the Cherokee Nation and defeated the 
Confederates under Colonel D. H. Cooper at Old Fort Wayne, 
and Colonel Wm. A. Phillips retook Fort Gibson. At the close 
of the year (1862) the Federals held the country north of the 
Arkansas River. The Confederates controlled south of that 
river. The Tonkawas were about the only Plains Indians 
on the Washita River who remained faithful to the Con- 
federates. October 23, 1862, a band of Indians loyal to the 
North, consisting of Delawares, Creeks, Kickapoos, and 
Shawnees, attacked the Tonkawas at Wichita Agency. 
Most of the Tonkawas were killed, the remainder fled to 
Texas. 

Questions. What Federal officer commanded the department in- 
cluding the Indian Territory at the beginning of the war? Where were 
the garrisons stationed? To what fort did these garrisons withdraw? 
Locate Forts Smith, Washita, Arbuckle, Cobb, and Leavenworth. Name, 
locate, and give result of a battle fought in the Indian Territory in 1861. 
What was the result of the first year of the war in the Territory ? What 



Events of 1863 and 1864 33 

effect did the battle of Pea Ridge have upon the Cherokees? Why? 
What was the Cherokee capital? Locate it. Why was Ross deposed? 
Who was chosen to take his place? By whom? Who retook Fort 
Gibson ? What was the result of the second year of the war ? 

Written Work. Write an account of the battle of Pea Ridge. Write 
brief biographies of Generals Franz Siegel, Earl Van Dorn, S. R. Curtis, 
and Sterling Price. 

LESSON 12 
EVENTS OF 1863 AND 1864 

As stated before, a large number of the Cherokees wished 
to cast their lot upon the side of the Union. Their country 
was now in the hands of the Federals. It seemed an opportune 
time to change. Captain Thomas Pegg, who was acting prin- 
cipal chief, called together the National Council, February 18, 
1863. The Council renounced its allegiance to the Confeder- 
acy, declared its loyalty to the United States, and at the same 
time abolished slavery. Stand Watie summoned that part 
of the Cherokee Council which favored the Confederacy to 
meet at Weber Falls, April 25, 1863. Colonel Phillips pre- 
vented the meeting. 

In July General Blunt crossed the Arkansas River with 
three thousand men and attacked General Cooper with a large 
number of Confederates at Honey Springs, not far from where 
Muskogee now stands. The Confederates resisted bravely, 
but their equipment was inferior to that of the Federals, and 
they were forced to retreat with considerable loss. 

The next month General Blunt moved against the Con- 
federate General Steele. The forces of the latter were divided 
into three divisions, each retreating in a different Fort Smith 
direction. Blunt followed Cooper and Stand retaken 
Watie toward the south and defeated them at Perry ville, 



34 Oklahoma History 

August 25. General Blunt took possession of Fort Smith, 
September 1, 1863. This gave the Union forces control of 
the river above that point and gave them much the advantage 
in the Indian country at the close of 1863. 

The year 1864 opened with Colonel Phillips making a 
winter campaign into the central and southern part of the 
Indian country. His aim was to induce Indians to break their 
alliance with the Confederacy and renew their allegiance to 
the Union. 

In April, 1864, the Indians had an opportunity to engage 
in another battle on Arkansas soil. As has already been said, 
Battle of ^ey were not compelled to go out of the Indian 

Poison Territory to fight. However, some of them were 

willing to go. General S. B. Maxey, who now 
commanded the Confederate forces in the Indian Territory, 
attacked and captured a Federal wagon train at Poison 
Springs, Arkansas. 

Stand Watie captured a Federal supply steamer, /. R. 
Williams, at Pleasant Bluff, near the mouth of the Canadian 
River, June 15, 1864. A Federal detachment coming up 
soon after the capture, Stand Watie was forced to burn the 
supplies and retreat. 

In September about two thousand Confederates under 
Generals Gano and Stand Watie marched around Fort Gibson, 
Battle of crossed the Arkansas River, and burned a Federal 

Cabin Creek na y cam p They then moved northward and 
attacked a Federal wagon train on its way from Fort Scott 
to Fort Gibson, at Cabin Creek. The Union escort was 
defeated, and the entire train of three hundred wagons was 
taken by the Confederates. Federal reinforcements under 
Colonel J. M. Williams came up after a forced march and re- 
newed the fight. During the night the Confederates with- 



End of the War 35 

drew with one hundred and twenty-nine of the wagons, after 
burning the supplies they could not take with them. 

Questions. When did the Cherokees return to the Union ? Who was 
acting principal chief? Where was the principal chief? Why did the 
Cherokees decide to join their fortunes with the Union? Did all of 
them withdraw from the Confederacy ? Who was leader of the Con- 
federate Cherokees? Name, locate, and give result of a battle fought 
during 1863. Of two battles fought in 1864. Why was the retaking 
of Fort Smith important to the Federals ? Which side had the advantage 
in the Indian Territory at the close of 1863 ? At the close of 1864? 

Written Work. Write a brief account of Grant's first attempt to 
take Vicksburg. Write brief biographies of Generals James G. Blunt, 
Stand Watie, William A. Phillips, and R. M. Gano. 



LESSON 13 
END OF THE WAR 



During the last year of the war (1865) no battles of conse- 
quence were fought in the Indian Territory. It was evident 
that the war was about over. After General R. E. Lee sur- 
rendered, April 9, 1865, the remaining Confederate armies 
soon yielded. May 26, General Kirby Smith surrendered the 
department west of the Mississippi to General Canby. 

The Confederate Indians, realizing that the war was vir- 
tually over, called a peace council of all the Indians of the 
Five Civilized Tribes and the Plains Indians to 
meet at Council Grove on the North Canadian council at 
River on May 1, 1864. This was to be a meeting Cam P Na - 

. poleon 

of all the Indians of the Territory, both Union 
and Confederate. The Council was not held until May 26, 
at which time it met at Camp Napoleon on the Washita 
River. Their purpose was to agree to be at peace among 



36 Oklahoma History 

themselves and to stand together in asserting their rights. 
They were fearful lest the Federal Government, in treating 
with each tribe separately, might deprive them of many of 
their former rights. 

Representatives of the Civilized Tribes and of the Plains 
Tribes met and signed a peace compact by which they agreed 
to bury the tomahawk, break the scalping knife, 
Peace Com- and be at peace among themselves forever. 
They agreed to form an Indian Confederacy and 
have for its motto — "An Indian shall not shed an Indian's 
blood." The compact was made between the Confederate 
Indian tribes and a number of the tribes of the Plains. 

At the close of the war conditions were deplorable in the 
Indian Territory. The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles 
were divided. Bitter hatred existed between the factions. 
The Choctaws and the Chickasaws, having been almost a unit 
for the South, were not divided. Most of the property in 
the Territory except that near the Red River had been de- 
stroyed. Houses had been burned, fields laid waste, and stock 
driven off. Both Union and Confederate Indians had suf- 
fered at the hands of the other. 

At the beginning of the war the few Federal soldiers who 
were in the Territory were withdrawn to Fort Leavenworth. 
The Five Civilized Tribes joined the Confederacy. 
The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were 
divided. The Confederates controlled the Territory at the 
end of the first year. The Battle of Pea Ridge caused some 
of the Cherokees to waver in their support of the South. 
The Federals controlled the territory north of the Arkansas 
River at the close of the second year of the war. The Chero- 
kees returned to the Union, February 18, 1863. Stand 
Watie's supporters remained true to the Confederacy. The 



End of the War 37 

Federals controlled most of the Territory at the close of the 
third year of the war. The Confederates made a number of 
successful attempts to capture Federal supplies during 1864. 
Confederate and Plains Indians held a peace council May 26, 

1865. 

Questions. Give location of the Five Civilized Tribes. Which 
side in the war did they take? Why? Locate the forts in the Terri- 
tory. Name, locate, and give result of five battles. Why did the 
Cherokees change sides? Wliere was a peace council held? Its pur- 
pose? What Confederate general commanded the department west 
of the Mississippi at the close of the war? Name the Federal officers 
who took part in the war in the Territory. Tell something about each. 
Name the Confederate officers. Tell something about each. 

Written Work. Write an account of the conditions in the Territory 
at the close of the war. Write about the peace council. Give the sub- 
stance of the Indian Peace Compact. 



PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION 



LESSON 14 
TERMS OF THE TREATIES 

The Indians who had joined the Confederacy were anxious 
to know how the United States would deal with them. Peter 
P. Pitchlynn, principal chief of the Choctaws, called a general 
peace council of all the tribes in the Indian Territory to meet 
at Armstrong Academy in the Choctaw Nation, September i, 
1865. The plan was to meet commissioners of the United 
States for the purpose of renewing treaties with the Federal 
Government. 

The Council was held September 8, at Fort Smith, at 
which place commissioners of the United States met repre- 
Peace Council sentatives of the Indian tribes. There was also 
at Fort Smith present a delegation of prominent men from Kan- 
sas, who were there to insist that the Five Civilized Tribes 
permit other Indians to be placed on their lands. Kansas was 
anxious to get rid of the Indians that had been settled in that 
state. 

The Indians were informed that by taking up arms against 
the United States they had forfeited their treaty rights and 
Peace that their property was liable to confiscation ; but 

conditions j- na f- ^ e Government did not wish to take their 
homes from them. They were told, however, that the Govern- 
ment would insist on the following terms : 

38 



Terms of the Treaties 39 

1. Their slaves must be freed and be given tribal rights if 
they chose to remain with the tribe. 

2. They must agree to sell part of their lands upon which 
the Government might settle freedmen or loyal Indians. 

3. All of the tribes in the Territory must organize under 
one territorial government. 

Many of the Indians were not willing to agree to some of 
these terms. Some objected to giving up lands to other 
Indians. Others did not want to give tribal rights to their 
ex-slaves. Nothing was accomplished, and the Council 
adjourned to meet in Washington the next year. 

Representatives of the Indians met in Washington early in 
1866. Several months were required to arrange Terms of the 
the treaties. The treaties differed somewhat in treaties » l866 
detail, but agreed in many of the most important features, 
which, in substance, were as follows : 

1. Slavery must be abolished. 

2. Freedmen must be given tribal rights. 

3. Loyal Indians must be paid for losses incurred during 
the war. 

4. Right-of-way must be granted to railroads. 

5. A territorial government must be formed for all the 
tribes in the Indian Territory. 

6. Amnesty must be granted, and there must be peace 
among the tribes. 

7. The Five Civilized Tribes must give up lands to other 
Indians. 

The Choctaws and the Chickasaws gave their freedmen or 
freed slaves forty acres of land each, but they were not to 
share in the annuities or trust funds of the tribes. The 
Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles shared their lands equally 
with their freedmen. 



4-0 Oklahoma History 

Questions. Who called a peace council? Where and when did it 
meet? For what purpose? Who were represented in the Council? 
What conditions were offered the Indians by the Government? Why 
was Kansas represented? How did the Indians receive the conditions? 
When and where were the treaties arranged with the Five Civilized 
Tribes? In what respects did the treaties agree? How did they differ? 

Written Work. Write brief sketches of P. P. Pitchlynn, Winchester 
Colbert, John F. Brown, and D. N. Cooley. 



LESSON 15 
RAILROADS ENTER INDIAN TERRITORY 

During the Civil War the Federal Government was greatly 
hampered in sending supplies to the troops in the Territory. 
Right-of-way For this reason the United States insisted (1866) 
to railroads ^hat railroads be permitted to enter that region. 
According to the treaties made with the Cherokees and Creeks, 
only two railroads were to be given a right-of-way across the 
lands of these nations. One was to be from north to south 
and the other from east to west. There were no such limita- 
tions in the treaties made with the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and 
Seminoles. 

The first road to enter from the north was not only to have a 
right-of-way, but was to be given each alternate section of 
land for ten miles on each side of the track, provided this land 
should ever become public land of the United States. As a 
result of this offer a great race took place between two roads 
in Kansas, which were planning to build southward. These 
two roads were the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, and the 
Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston. The former reached 
the north line of the territory first, June 6, 1870, and was 



Railroads enter Indian Territory 41 

granted the right-of-way. This road passes through Vinita, 
Muskogee, and McAlester and on into Texas. 

The first road to enter the Territory from the east was the 
Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (187 1) which crossed the 
M. K. &. T. at Vinita and continued southwest to 
Red Fork near the Arkansas River. This road is roads into 
now part of the St. Louis and San Francisco line x n dianTer - 

^ > m ritory 

which has been built in a southwesterly direction 

through Oklahoma City and Lawton on into Texas. The 

first road to enter from the east was also to receive a land 

grant, provided the land along the track should become public 

domain. 

The roads never received the land as it never became the 
property of the United States. When allotted later to the 
members of the tribes, the land passed directly from each 
tribe to the members of the tribe. 

No more railroads were built into the Indian Territory 
until the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe extended Later rail- 
its line (188 5-1887) from Arkansas City, Kansas, roads 
through to Galveston, Texas. 

The next railroad was also a north and south road, the 
Rock Island, which built (1889-1890) south from Caldwell, 
Kansas, to Forth Worth, Texas. 

The first east and west railroad to be completed through 
Oklahoma was the Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Gulf, now the 
Rock Island, which passes through Shawnee and Oklahoma 
City to Amarillo, Texas. 

This road reached Shawnee in 1895, and crossed the west 
line of the state in 190 1. It will be noticed that all of the first 
railroads to cross the Territory were north and south roads. 
This had much to do with the character of the population of 
this state, a subject that will be discussed under another topic. 



42 Oklahoma History 

Questions. Why was it difficult for the United States to get sup- 
plies into the Territory during the war? What offer was made to rail- 
roads? What is a right-of-way? What is meant by each alternate 
section of land? What was the first railroad to cross the Territory from 
north to south? The first to enter from the east? Trace these roads, 
naming the cities along each. Have these roads received the land 
promised ? Give the reason. Name the next two railroads to cross the 
Territory from north to south. Trace them, naming the present princi- 
pal cities along them. When was each built? What was the first east- 
and-west railroad through the Territory? When built? Trace it, 
naming the cities through which it passes. 

Written Work. Make a list of the railroads now in this state. What 
results Usually follow the building of railroads through a new country ? 



LESSON 16 

ATTEMPT TO FORM A TERRITORIAL 
GOVERNMENT 

One of the terms of the treaties made with the Indians in 
1866 was that a territorial government should be formed 
for the Indian Territory. During the session of Congress 
(1866-1867) immediately following the making of the treaties 
a bill was offered in Congress providing for a territorial 
government for Oklahoma, as it was proposed to call the 
Indian Territory. 

This name is said to have been suggested by Colonel E. C. 

Boudinot of the Cherokee Nation. The name — Oklahoma 

— was first used to apply to this countrv when the 

Name Okla- „. <-.!•! • 

homa first Choctaw-Chickasaw treaty was made in i860, 
used. By that treaty the Superintendent of Indian 

Meaning J j sr 

Affairs was to be governor of the Territory of 
Oklahoma. The name was probably first mentioned by Allen 









Attempt to form a Territorial Government 43 




Allen Wright — Choctaw 



Wright, a member of the Choctaw delegation. The word, 
which is Choctaw, means "red people," or red people's 
land. 

The bill to organize the Indian Territory failed to become 
a law. Similar bills were offered in 
succeeding Congresses, only to meet the 
same fate. The Five Civilized Tribes 
were opposed to the organization of the 
Indian Territory into the Territory of 
Oklahoma, as proposed by Congress. 
They were afraid it would result in 
bringing into their country grasping 
white men, who would eventually de- 
prive them of their country. 

To forestall these attempts of Con- 
gress, the Indians decided to call a Council of the Tribes to 
meet at Okmulgee, December 5, 1870, for the purpose of 
forming a Confederation of the tribes which Oklahoma 
would suit them better than the plans proposed Constitution 
by Congress. The Council appointed a committee of twelve 
to draw up a constitution for the union of the tribes. William 
P. Ross, a nephew of John Ross, was chairman of the com- 
mittee. The constitution drawn up by this committee was 
submitted to the tribes for their approval. 

The Chickasaw legislature rejected the plan because it 
provided for representation in proportion to the population. 
That tribe, being smaller than some of the other tribes, favored 
giving each tribe equal power in the legislative body. This 
action of the Chickasaws defeated the Okmulgee constitu- 
tion. On account of the continued opposition of one party or 
another, the Indian Territory was never organized. The 
Indian Territory, as it is generally called, was not really a 



44 Oklahoma History 

territory. It was the Indian country or the region set apart 
for the Indians. It was not an organized political body. 

Questions. What was the agreement of the Indians in reference to 
government? When did Congress consider the matter? What name 
was proposed for the Territory? What kind of word is it? What does 
it mean? Who probably used the name first to apply to this country? 
In what document was it used? Why did the Indians hold a council 
at Okmulgee? What was the Okmulgee constitution? Which tribe 
acted upon it first? Why did that tribe reject it? What is a con- 
federation ? 

Written Work. W T rite sketches of William P. Ross, E. C. Boudinot, 
and Allen Wright. 

LESSON 17 
LOCATING OTHER TRIBES 

Another provision of the treaties of 1866 was that the Five 
Civilized Tribes should give up part of their lands for other 
in the north- Indians to be settled upon. February .3, 1867, 
of th^Terri- the United States made a joint treaty with the 
tor y Seneca, Miami, Quapaw, Wyandotte, Ottawa, 

and Peoria tribes, and a band of the Shawnees, to remove 
them from their lands in Kansas to the Territory. They 
were settled in the northeastern part, east of the Grand, or 
Neosho River. The lands upon which they were placed did 
not belong to the Cherokees. 

In 1873, a hostile band of Modocs in southern Oregon 
treacherously slew General Canby and the other peace com- 
missioners who were holding a parley with them. The band 
was captured, and their leader. Captain Jack, and three other 
men were hanged, and about one hundred and fifty of them 
were located in the northeastern part of the Territory near 
the Peorias. 



Locating Other Tribes 



45 



By the treaty with the Cherokees, the United States could 
settle peaceful Indians in the Cherokee Nation proper, and 
could place wild tribes in the Cherokee Outlet or west of 
the 96th meridian. The Cherokees were not to give up any 
of this land until the Government was ready to place Indians 
upon it, and at that time the Cherokees were to be paid for it. 

In 1866 a band of Delawares and a band of Shawnees dis- 
posed of their lands in Kansas and bought of the Cherokees 
the right to become a part of that nation. They on Cherokee 
settled among the Cherokees east of the 96th lands 
meridian. The Osages (1870) ceded to the United States their 
lands in southern Kansas and purchased that part of the 
Cherokee Outlet east of the Arkansas 
River. 

The Kansas or Kaw Indians (1873) 
bought of the Osages the northwest 
part of their reservation in the Cherokee 
Outlet and moved from Kansas to their 
present home. 

The Nez Perces, whose home was in 
Idaho and Oregon, waged war against 
the Government troops in 1878. Chief 
Joseph and his followers were overcome 
after a long and difficult struggle andVere taken as prisoners 
to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They were located in the 
Cherokee Outlet within what is known as Kay County. 
They were very much dissatisfied with their new home, and 
many of them died. Some of them returned to Idaho (1883), 
and the remainder were moved to a new reservation in Idaho 
in 1885. 

In 1884 the remnant of the Tonkawa tribe was moved from 
Texas and placed on the Nez Perces reservation. It will be 




Chief Joseph 



46 Oklahoma History 

remembered that the Tonkawa was a Confederate Indian 
tribe which was attacked and driven from the Wichita 
Agency, in 1862, by Union Indians. 

The Poncas were moved from Nebraska to the Outlet and 
were placed on a reservation just west of the Arkansas River 

(1876). 

The Pawnees came from central Nebraska to a reservation 
across the Arkansas River south of the Osages. The greater 
part of their lands was in the Cherokee Outlet, but they also 
received some land that had belonged to the Creeks, as their 
south line was the Cimarron River. 

Questions. What tribes were located in the northeastern part of 
the Territory ? Tell whether that land had ever belonged to the Chero- 
kees. Name and locate the tribes settled upon Cherokee lands. Tell 
what states they were moved from. What was the Cherokee Outlet? 
What was the agreement between the United States and the Cherokees 
in reference to giving up lands to other Indians? What tribe received 
both Cherokee and Creek lands? Locate the lands. What tribe was 
permitted to leave its reservation in the Territory? Why? Where 
were they given other lands? What tribe was placed where the other 
tribe was moved from? 

Written Work. Write an account of the Modoc War. Of the War 
with the Nez Perces. Write sketches of Chief Joseph, Captain Jack, 
General Canby, and General Miles. 



LESSON 18 
LOCATING OTHER TRIBES (Concluded) 

The Creeks by treaty of 1866 sold the west half of their 
reservation, 3,250,560 acres, at thirty cents an acre, and the 
Seminoles sold all of their lands, 216,908 acres, at fifteen cents 
per acre. These lands were ceded at once to the United States 
to be used as settlements for friendly Indians. 



Locating Other Tribes 47 

In 1867 the Sac and Fox, the tribe of the famous Black 
Hawk, was moved from Kansas to the eastern part of the lands 
just given up by the Creeks. The Iowas were on Creek 
moved from northeastern Kansas to a reservation lands 
west of the northern part of the Sac and Fox country (1876). 
The Kickapoos were moved from Kansas (1873) to a reserva- 
tion south of the Iowas, also on lands ceded by the Creeks. 
The Seminoles were given lands (1866) between the North and 
South Canadian rivers, which had been ceded to the United 
States by the Creeks. 

A band of Indians, known as the Absentee Shawnees, were 
moved from Kansas to a reservation west of the Seminoles 
(1866) ; part of this land had been ceded by the Creeks and 
part by the Seminoles. A band of Pottawatomies were moved 
from Kansas (1868) and settled with the Absentee Shawnees. 

By the terms of the Medicine Lodge Treaty (1867) the 
Cheyennes and the Arapahoes were given a large tract of 
land between the 98th and 100th meridians ; part of their 
lands had been ceded to the United States by the Creeks, 
part by the Seminoles, and part by the Choctaws and 
Chickasaws. 

At the same Peace Council, held at Medicine Lodge in 
southern Kansas, a treaty was made with the Kiowas, Coman- 
ches, and Apaches, whereby these tribes agreed to go on a 
reservation between the Red and the Washita rivers, west of 
the 98th meridian. 

In 1867 the Wichitas, Wacos, and a band of Delawares, also 
a few Anadarkos, returned to the Wichita Agency from south- 
ern Kansas, where they had been during the Civil __ .. . 

J ° Medicine 

War. The Caddos and the Keechis came to the Lodge Treaty, 

T &fk*7 

same agency from Colorado, where they had gone 

at the beginning of the war. The Wichitas and Caddos were 



4 8 



Oklahoma History 



assigned lands between the Canadian and the Washita rivers, 
west of the 98th meridian. 

The lands of all of the tribes attached to the Wichita Agency 
had formerly belonged to the Choctaws and Chickasaws and 
had been sold to the United States in 1866. The Choctaws 
received three-fourths of the money and the Chickasaws one- 
fourth. The agency came to be called Anadarko about this 
time. 

In brief, one term of the treaties of 1866 was that the Five 
Tribes should give up part of their 
lands as settlements for other Indians. 

The Choctaws and Chickasaws sold 
their lands between the Red and 
Canadian rivers west of the 98th meri- 
dian. On that land were located the 
Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, Wichitas, 
Caddos, Keechis, Wacos, and a few 
Delawares and Anadarkos. The Chey- 
ennes and Arapahoes also occupied 
some of the Choctaw-Chickasaw lands 
as well as some that had belonged to the Seminoles and the 
Creeks. 

The Creeks had sold in 1866 the west half of their lands, 
on which had been placed the Iowa, Sac and Fox, the Kickapoo, 
and the Seminole tribes. 

The Seminoles had sold all of their lands. The Potta- 
watomies and a band of Shawnees had been placed on Creek 
and Seminole lands. The Pawnees had some Creek lands, 
and the Cheyennes and Arapahoes had some Creek and 
Seminole lands. 

The Cherokees by treaty of 1866 sold lands, as the United 
States was readv to locate other Indians. A few Shawnees 




Tecum seh 



Trouble with the Plains Indians 49 

and a few Delawares bought into the Cherokee tribe and 
became a part of that tribe. 

On the Cherokee Outlet were settled the Osages, Kaws, 
Pawnees, Poncas, Otoes and Missouris, Nez Perces, and the 
Tonkawas. In the northeastern part of the Territory on 
unoccupied land were located the Quapaw, Peoria, Ottawa, 
Shawnee, Modoc, Wyandotte, and Seneca tribes. In the 
central part of the lands given up by the Creeks and Seminoles 
was a large tract that was never assigned to any other tribes. 

Questions. What difference was there in the terms made with the 
Five Tribes in reference to giving up lands? What tribes were located 
m the northeastern part of the Territory? Name and locate the tribes 
placed on Cherokee lands? Where was each moved from? Name the 
tribes located on Creek lands. On Choctaw. On Chickasaw. On 
Creek and Seminole lands. On Cherokee and Creek lands. On Choc- 
taw, Chickasaw, and Creek and Seminole lands. State where each 
tribe was moved from. Tell where each was placed. Bound the tract 
not assigned to other Indians. 

Written Work. Write a sketch of the Nez Perces. Of the Tonka- 
was. Of Black Beaver. 



LESSON 19 
TROUBLE WITH THE PLAINS INDIANS 

During the Civil War the Federal Government could spare 
but few soldiers to guard the western frontier. As a conse- 
quence, bands of Indians often raided the settlements, killing 
the settlers, carrying off women and children, and driving off 
stock. 

Among the whites during the days of chivalry it was con- 
sidered necessary for a young man to win his spurs, so among 
the wild Indian tribes it was thought necessary for a young 



5° 



Oklahoma History 



Causes of 
Indian out 
breaks 



man to have a string of scalps at his belt in order to have 
proper standing in his tribe. 

There were also lawless white men along the frontier who 

thought all Indians were bad. These men often 

committed outrages which started the Indians 

on the war path. 

When the Civil War was over, many white men went west 

and settled upon lands which the Indians claimed were theirs. 

Railroads were built across the plains, 
making it easier to ship supplies to the 
west and to ship hides from the plains. 
During the decade following the building 
of the first railroad across the plains 
nearly all of the buffaloes were killed. 
Thousands were killed simply for their 
hides. Many people of the present time 
would be astonished to know how many 
buffalo hides were handled by one 
wholesale hide-house in Leavenworth, 
Kansas, during the seventies. 
Settling the west and killing the buffaloes aroused the 
Indians. They gave the whites a great deal of trouble from 
1867 to 1874. Treaties were made on the Little Arkansas 
River, in Kansas, in 1865, which were soon broken. Treaties 
were made at Medicine Lodge in 1867, the Indians agreeing 
to settle in the western part of Indian Territory. But the 
Kiowas and Comanches raided the settlements in Texas, 
and the Cheyennes and Arapahoes made forays into Kansas. 
The Indians would spend the winters at army posts and 
agencies where they could draw supplies from the Govern- 
ment ; then when the grass was good and the buffaloes fat, they 
would make their raids. Some of the Indians kept their 




Quanah Parker, Chief of 
the Comanches 



Trouble with the Plains Indians 



5 1 



treaties faithfully, but often the whole tribe was blamed for 
what the treacherous Indians did. 

One of the most noted Indian raids was that made by the 
Cheyennes into the valley of the Solomon River, in Kansas, 
in August, 1868. Black Kettle was held respon- Solomon 
sible for this outrage. General Sheridan with River raid 
General Custer moved south from Fort Dodge, Kansas, and 
established Camp Supply in the Indian Territory. A Kansas 
regiment under Colonel Crawford was to join the expedition. 
General Custer, without waiting for Crawford, moved south 
with the Seventh Cavalry to locate the Indian villages. They 
were found on the Washita River near the present location of 
Cheyenne. Without waiting for reinforcements, Custer at- 
tacked the Indian camp early on the morning of Battle of the 
November 27, 1868. The Indians were taken by Washita 
surprise, and Black Kettle and most of his warriors were killed 
and a number of women and children 
were captured. Custer withdrew when 
he learned that there were many other 
villages down the stream. Major Elliott 
and Captain Hamilton, a grandson of 
Alexander Hamilton, were killed, also 
nineteen other men. Later, three of the 
chiefs were captured and the Indians 
were brought to terms. Fort Sill was 
established in 1869 to guard against 
further uprisings. 

In 187 1 the Kiowas under Satanta made a raid into Texas, 
killing a number of men. He and two other chiefs were cap- 
tured and the Indians quieted. 

In 1874 the Cheyennes made a raid through western Kansas. 
General Miles overtook them and brought them back. Fort 




Gen. George A. Custer 



52 Oklahoma History 

Reno was established near the Cheyenne and Arapahoe agency 
(Darlington) to keep these Indians from committing further 
depredations, 

Questions. What caused the Indian troubles after the Civil War? 
What Indians raided in Kansas? Name one outrage. What Indians 
committed depredations in Texas? Name a chief who led one of these 
raids. Describe the Battle of the Washita. Where was it? What was 
the Seventh Cavalry? Locate Forts Supply, Sill, and Reno. When and 
why was each established? What was Custer's last battle? 

Written Work. Write an account of the killing of the buffaloes. 
Make a list of the places where buffaloes may be found now. Write 
sketches of Custer, Miles, Satanta, and Quanah Parker. 

Readings. " Indian Fights and Fighters," by C. T. Brady. " My 
Life on" the Plains," by G. A. Custer. Biographies of General N. A. 
Miles and General G. A. Custer. 



PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT BY 
WHITES 



LESSON 20 
CONDITIONS BEFORE SETTLEMENT 

Within the large area, now Oklahoma, before it was settled 
by the whites, there were comparatively few people. While 
many Indian tribes and remnants of tribes had IndianTer _ 
been moved into Indian Territory, in all the ritory largely 
population was less than one hundred thousand. 
Most of the civilized Indians were gathered in groups in the 
eastern part. Gathered about agencies in the western part 
were bands of Indians, most of them uncivilized, who depended 
largely upon Government support. 

Very little of the country was being used by the Indians, 
even little hunting was done by them. The more civilized did 
some farming and stock raising. As the Indians no longer had 
slaves, on whom they had depended for labor, they began to 
permit white men to come in and lease the land for farming and 
stock raising. Usually but little rent was paid, and most of 
that went to a few corrupt Indians. Many of the white men 
married Indian women and became members of the tribe in 
order to avoid paying rent and to obtain the advantages of 
membership in the tribe. After these white men gained 
entrance into the country, even as renters, it was very difficult 
to get rid of them, so their numbers gradually increased. 

53 



54 Oklahoma History 

Soon after the close of the Civil War, Texas had thousands 
of cattle to market. About this time a railroad reached central 
Driving cattle Kansas, and in 1866 cattlemen began to drive 
from Texas cattle from Texas to Abilene, Kansas, to be shipped 
to Chicago and other packing centers. Cattle driving became 
so profitable that as high as six hundred thousand were driven 
north from Texas in a single year. Railroads in Kansas built 
south to secure the cattle for shipment. Cattle were driven 
to Dodge City, then to Wichita, and later to a number of places 
along the Kansas border, among which were Arkansas City, 
Caldwell, Kiowa, and Hunnewell. 

That was an interesting and characteristic day in the history 
of the West. In these cattle drives might be found a great 
variety of cowboys, as the cattle drivers were called. Many 
highly educated young men from good families would go to 
Texas to aid in driving cattle to a railroad point as a summer 
outing and then return to school or professional work in the 
fall. Some, tired of the strain of a business or professional 
life, would spend several years in the cattle drives and round- 
ups of this region. Withal there was an atmosphere of freedom 
and hospitality not found, perhaps, under any other circum- 
stances. 

When the cattlemen found that the Indian country pro- 
duced an abundance of nutritious grass and was well supplied 
with good water, they began to establish ranches 
ranches es- in the unassigned lands and also in the Indian 
lands. At first they paid no rent, but as competi- 
tion increased, they began to secure leases in order to hold 
their ranges. Cattlemen soon had control of practically all 
of the grass lands. Certain definite rules of the range were 
agreed upon. Large cattle companies were formed. The 
most important organization of its kind was the Cherokee 



Conditions before Settlement 55 

Strip Live Stock Association which was formed March 6, 1883, 
at Caldwell, Kansas. This association leased the Cherokee 
Outlet, or Cherokee Strip as it was commonly known, from the 
Cherokees for a term of five years at $100,000 per year. The 
land was then sublet to cattlemen at a much higher rate. 
During the second period of five years the Cherokees received 
$200,000 per year. 

The driving of cattle and the establishment of forts made it 
necessary to lay out trails. The Government supplies for the 
forts and for the Indian agencies had to be hauled from the 
nearest railroad points. The most noted trail was the Chisholm 
Trail, laid out in 1865 by Jesse Chisholm from Wichita, Kansas, 
to Anadarko (Wichita Agency). This trail passed through 
Fort Reno and was extended to Fort Sill and later to Fort 
Worth, Texas. Trails led to the various forts and agencies. 
One branch of the Santa Fe Trail passed through the western 
part of the Panhandle. This trail was laid out in 1825. 
When railroads were extended into Texas, cattle driving in 
this country ceased. 

Questions. How many people lived in the Indian Territory before 
it was opened to white settlement ? Where did the Indians live ? How 
did they use the country ? Why were whites admitted by the Indians ? 
Why were cattle driven across this country ? What can you say of the 
numbers driven ? What time of year were the drives ? To what points 
were they driven? What led to the establishing of ranches here? 
What important cattle association was formed ? What led to the leas- 
ing of the grasslands? Why were trails laid out? Name the most 
noted trail. Trace it. 

Written Work. Write an account of the cattle drives. Describe 
a scene on the Chisholm Trail. Show that railroads often follow trails. 



56 Oklahoma History 

LESSON 21 

THE FIRST OPENING 

A struggle was going on between two powerful forces, — 

the cattlemen and the railroads. The cattlemen were opposed 

to the formation of a territorial government for 

Railroads ^he Indian country. A well-organized govern- 

favor, J ° 

cattlemen ment would lead to development of the country, 
ment^ se ' Development would bring in railroads, followed 
by settlers, which would destroy the ranges. The 
railroads would have more business with the country well 
settled. The railroads favored a territorial government, 
favored allotting lands to the Indians, and opening the remain- 
ing lands to white settlement. 

T. C. Sears, an attorney for the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas 
railroad, is usually given credit for discovering that a large 
tract of land in the Indian Territory was subject to homestead 
entry. Colonel E. C. Boudinot, a Cherokee lawyer, was 
probably associated with him in looking up the status of the 
lands in question. The matter was made public in April, 

1879. 

The tract of land was bounded on the north by the Cherokee 
Outlet, on the west by the Cheyenne and Arapahoe and the 
Unassigned Wichita reservations, on the south by the Cana- 
lands ^ian River, and on the east by the Pottawatomie, 

the Kickapoo, and the Iowa and the|Pawnee reservations. It 
was land that had been ceded to the United States by the 
Creeks and Seminoles, and had not been assigned to other 
Indians. It was claimed by these attorneys to be public 
land, and being public land, it was subject to homestead 
entry. 

Some of the friends of David L. Payne claim that he origi- 









The First Opening 



57 



nated the idea of opening this country to settlement. Though 
he probably did not, yet he deserves the credit of forcing the 
idea upon the attention of the public, which resulted in opening 
Oklahoma, as it was commonly known, to white settlement. 
From 1879 to 1884 he organized one colony after another and 
attempted to make settlement. Each time he and his fol- 
lowers were arrested and escorted out of the Territory by the 
United States troops, but they were not given trial. 

In 1884 Payne was indicted for conspiracy against the 
United States, but the indictment was quashed. Judge C. G. 
Foster of the United States District Court 
at Topeka, Kansas, decided that the title 
to Oklahoma lands was vested in the 
United States, and that settlement upon 
them by citizens was not a crime. Payne's 
followers felt exultant. He began at once 
to organize another colony. While en- 
gaged in this work, he died suddenly, No- 
vember 27, 1884, at Wellington, Kansas. 

However, the efforts of the Oklahoma 
boomers, as they were called, continued. 

William L. Couch, one of Payne's able assistants, took up 
his work. Before the close of the year (1884) he led a colony 
to a place near the present site of Stillwater. 

^ r W. L. Couch 

He, too, was forced to withdraw by the troops. 

In 1885 he made another attempt with the same result. 

During the year 1885, the Santa Fe began the construction 
of its line from Arkansas City, Kansas, south through Okla- 
homa, and President Cleveland ordered the cattlemen to 
remove their fences from that country. The people, believing 
that Oklahoma would soon be thrown open to settlement, 
decided to wait until they could enter it legally. 




Capt. Day id L. Payne 



58 



Oklahoma History 



Efforts were made in Congress to pass a bill which would 
open the country to settlement, but the influence of the 
The Springer cattlemen and the Indians was against it. Early 
BlU in 1889 the Springer Bill passed the House of 

Representatives, but was defeated in the Senate. Just before 
the close of the session of Congress, the bill providing for the 
opening of Oklahoma was attached to the Indian Appro- 
priation Bill as a "rider," and was passed by Congress. 





Race for Land 



President Harrison issued a proclamation fixing the time of 
the opening at twelve o'clock, noon, April 22, 1889. No one 
was allowed to enter before that time. Any one who did so 
was not entitled to land and was known as a " sooner." On 
April 22, thousands of people were along the borders of the 
land ready to make a race for a quarter-section of land or for 
a town lot in one of the cities which were to be built. A sig- 
nal was given at twelve o'clock, at which time the race began. 
People raced on horseback, in carts, and in almost every con- 
ceivable way. The Santa Fe ran trains on a slow schedule 



The First Addition 



59 



from the north and from the south. Cities sprang up, and the 
whole country was settled almost within an hour. On the 
evening of the first day there were perhaps fifteen thousand 
people in Guthrie and an equal number in Oklahoma City, 
while Kingfisher and El Reno were fully half as large, and 
Norman, Stillwater, and Edmond were cities of considerable 
size. There must have been almost one hundred thousand 
people in the Territory the first day. Some failed to get lands 
or lots and returned to their homes. Others soon became 
tired of the hardships and left the country. In 1890 Oklahoma 
had a population of 61,834. 

Questions. Why were the cattlemen opposed to opening Oklahoma ? 
Why did the railroads favor opening? Give the boundaries of Old 
Oklahoma. Who was T. C. Sears ? Why did he claim that the land could 
be settled? Who was D. L. Payne? Tell about his efforts. Who 
took up his work? What was the Springer Bill? What is a "rider" 
to a bill? When was Old Oklahoma opened to settlement? Describe 
the opening. What cities were established? How many people were 
in the race? Why did they not all stay? What hardships had to be 
endured? What railroad was already through the country. Trace it. 

Written Work. Write a description of the race for land. Give a 
picture of Oklahoma City on the evening of April 22, 1889. A picture 
of Guthrie. Give a sketch of D. L. Payne and W. L. Couch. 



LESSON 22 
THE FIRST ADDITION 



Now that the unassigned lands, Old Oklahoma, had been 
opened to settlement by the whites, there were two matters 
that demanded the attention of Congress. One was that a gov- 
ernment was needed for Oklahoma, the other, that something 



60 Oklahoma History 

should be done with the Public Land Strip, commonly known 
as "No Man's Land." 

In forming the boundary lines of the states and territories 
adjacent to it, the Public Land Strip had been left unconnected 
No Man's with any of them. It formed a part of no state 
Land or territory. It had no government, and there 

was no provision for its settlement. About the time the 
buffaloes had almost disappeared (1875) cattlemen began to 
occupy that region. Ten years later when settlers flocked to 
western Kansas and eastern Colorado, some also entered 
No Man's Land. 

But there was no provision for government, and as it was 
attached to no land district, the settlers could get no title to 
the land. Lawless men from adjoining states fled to it as a 
place of refuge, and the honest settlers formed vigilance com- 
mittees, then a claim board. 

On March 4, 1887, a convention met at Beaver and or- 
ganized Cimarron Territory. Some of the settlers believed 
Cimarron it was necessary for Congress to take action before 
Territory a territory could be formed. They held a con- 

vention which petitioned Congress to form a government for 
the territory. They also elected a delegate to Congress. In 
this way the people became divided into two factions, and 
as a result failed to secure a territorial government. Cimarron 
Territory was never recognized by Congress, and No Man's 
Land continued without legal government until it was made a 
part of Oklahoma Territory. 

Although Oklahoma was settled April 22, 1889, it had no 
legal government for more than a year. The people, how- 
ever, were law abiding, and experienced no serious trouble 
on that account. In the cities governments were formed at 
once by mutual consent. As schools, roads, and other conven- 



The First Addition 61 

iences were needed, the people were anxious for Congress to 
act. Conventions were held, and Congress was petitioned to 
form a territorial government. 

May 2, 1890, the Organic Act became a law, and Oklahoma 
Territory was authorized to form a territorial government. 
The act provided for three branches of govern- The Organic 
ment, legislative, executive, and judicial ; also a Act 
delegate to Congress. 

The legislative department, or Legislature, consisted of 
two houses, the upper or Council, composed of thirteen 
members, and the lower or House of Representatives, com- 
posed of twenty-six members. The members of both houses 
were to be elected by the people. 

The executive authority of the Territory was vested in a 
governor and a secretary, appointed by the President, with 
the approval of the Senate. The governor was given power 
to appoint other executive officers. 

The judicial power was vested in a Supreme Court con- 
sisting of a Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, appointed 
by the President and the Senate. 

The delegate to Congress was to be elected by the people. 

The Organic Act also provided for the organization of 
counties. Six were to be formed out of Old Oklahoma, while 
No Man's Land was to be the seventh. The counties were 
designated by numbers until the people of each county 
selected a name. Number 1 became Logan; number 2, 
Oklahoma; number 3, Cleveland; number 4, Canadian; 
number 5, Kingfisher; number 6, Payne, and number 7, 
Beaver. 

Questions. Locate and give dimensions of No Man's Land. Why 
was it so called? Tell how its boundaries were formed. When did 
people settle it? What right had they to go there? What kind of 



62 Oklahoma History 

government had they? When did they first have a legal government? 
When was Oklahoma settled ? When were the people first given a legal 
government? What did the people do for a government before that? 
What was the Organic Act? What branches of government were pro- 
vided for? Of what did each consist? How many counties were 
formed? How were they designated at first? W T hat names were given 
them? By whom? 

Written Work. Write an account of the way you think the people in 
each city founded a city government. Tell how you would account for 
the names of the first seven counties. 



LESSON 23 

IOWA, SAC AND FOX, AND POTTAWATOMIE 

OPENING 

When Congress in 1889 provided for the opening of Okla- 
homa to settlement, it also authorized the President to appoint 
a Commission to arrange for the return of surplus 
toptachase Indian lands to the United States. This Com- 
surpius mission was to induce the Indians of Indian Terri- 

lands 

tory to sell their surplus lands west of the 96th 
meridian. If the Indians lived east of that meridian, it was 
hoped that they would sell what land they had west of that 
line. If the Indians lived west of that line, they were to be 
urged to take allotments and to sell the remainder. 

President Harrison appointed three commissioners, and they 
first tried to induce the Cherokees to sell all of that part of 
the Outlet which had not already been sold to other Indians. 
They made slow progress with the Cherokees. They were 
more successful with the Iowas, Sacs and Foxes, Pottawato- 
mies, and Shawnees. These Indians accepted allotments of 






Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie Opening 63 

one hundred and sixty acres each and sold their surplus lands 
to the United States. 

These reservations were thrown open to settlement Septem- 
ber 22, 1 89 1. People were allowed to run for claims as they 
had at the opening of Old Oklahoma, as people Two new 
now designated it. Each settler was allowed to counties 
file upon one quarter-section of land. Each Indian first 
selected his allotment, then sections 16 and 36 were set apart 
as school land. The settlers could take what still remained. 
Out of this addition to Oklahoma two new counties were 
formed, and additions were made to Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, 
and Cleveland counties. The new counties were designated 
by letters A and B. The people of A county afterwards 
selected the name Lincoln and the people of B county chose 
Pottawatomie. 

An addition was made to Payne County from the north 
part of Iowa and the Sac and Fox reservations. A strip six 
miles wide from the west side of the Iowa and the Potta- 
watomie reservations was added to Logan, Oklahoma, and 
Cleveland counties. This six- mile strip was the first row of 
townships east of the Indian Meridian. 

The Indian Meridian is a line running north and south 
from which all of the land in the present state of Oklahoma 
(except No Man's Land) is surveyed. It will be Indian 
seen from the above that it is six miles west of Mendian 
the east line of Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Logan counties. 

Questions. What provision was made in 1889 for allotting lands? 
What is an allotment? How many acres in a quarter-section? What 
is meant by school land? What land did the Commissioners want the 
Cherokees to sell? How did they succeed with that tribe? What 
tribes agreed first to sell their surplus lands ? What is meant by surplus 
lands ? When did the second opening take place ? How was it opened ? 
How many new counties were formed? What were they called at 



64 Oklahoma History 

first? What name was given each? What counties received additions 
at this time ? What is the Indian Meridian ? Where is it. 

Written Work. Show how Pottawatomie County, its county seat, 
and its largest city were well named. Write a sketch of Tecumseh and 
Black Hawk. 



LESSON 24 

CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHOE COUNTRY 

The Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes had been settled on 

lands ceded to the United States by the Creeks, the Seminoles, 

and the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Their lands 

Cheyenne and extended from the 98th meridian and the Wichita 

Arapahoe country on the east to the 1 ooth meridian, and from 

country J m 7 

the Cherokee Outlet to the Kiowa, Comanche, 
and Eichira countries. 

These Indians belonged to the wild tribes of the plains. 
They had been used to roaming over a large part of the plains. 
They were not satisfied to remain on a reservation. Their 
depredations in Kansas led to their punishment at the Battle 
of the Washita (1868), and their outbreak and raid in 1874 
brought on the campaign of General Miles, by which he brought 
them into subjection. They caused no more uneasiness 
until 1885, when an outbreak seemed imminent. General 
Sheridan, who was sent to quiet them, reported to President 
Cleveland that the Indians would not remain quiet as long as 
the cattlemen held the country. The President ordered the 
cattlemen removed within forty days. 

The commissioners chosen for that purpose arranged with 
the Cheyennes and Arapahoes to take allotments and to dis- 
Opening pose of their surplus lands. After the allotments 

April 19, 1892 were taken and sections 16 and 36 reserved for 
the common schools, the remainder was thrown open to set- 



Cheyenne and Arapahoe Country 65 

tlement April 19, 1892. People ran for the land as in the first 
opening. In the eastern part the race was exciting, but many 
thought the western part of the country not worth running 
for. It was afterward settled gradually as people learned its 
value. 

Six new counties were formed, and additions were made to 
Kingfisher and Canadian counties. The counties were des- 
ignated by letters and named later by the people. C County 
was named Blaine; D, Dewey; E, Day; F, Roger Mills; 
G, Custer ; H, Washita. 

Day County was afterward done away with by the State 
Constitutional Convention, — part of it was attached to Ellis 
and part to Roger Mills County. The Convention also took 
the south part of the original Roger Mills County and the 
north part of Greer County, and formed Beckham County. 
The commissioners had so far completed arrangements with 
the Wichita Indians that they planned to have that reserva- 
tion ready for settlement at the time of the Cheyenne and 
Arapahoe opening. The Wichita country was even called 
I County. Some of the Indians objected, and the opening of 
the reservation was delayed until the Kiowa and Comanche 
opening. 

Questions. When were the Cheyennes and Arapahoes placed on their 
reservation ? Where had their homes previously been ? What kind of 
Indians were they? Locate their reservation in Oklahoma. When was 
it opened to settlement? By what plan? How many new counties 
were formed ? How were they designated ? Give name of each, adopted 
by the people. Locate each county. What county has since been 
eliminated? By whom? What other change was made at the same 
time? What counties received additions from this same opening? 
Name the county seat of each county. What was I county? 

Written Work. Write a description of the Darlington Agency. Of 
Fort Reno. Draw a map of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country. 



66 Oklahoma History 

LESSON 25 
OPENING OF THE CHEROKEE OUTLET 

The Cherokee Outlet, commonly known as the Cherokee 
Strip, was a large tract of land fifty-eight miles wide, and 
Location of extending from the 96th to the 100th meridian. 
Outlet jf- a dj i ne ol Kansas on the south, and was given 

to the Cherokees as an outlet for them to pass over to the 
Rocky Mountains to hunt. They made no use of it as an 
outlet. 

In compliance with the treaty of 1866, they had disposed of 
parts of it to the Osages, Kaws, Nez Perces, Poncas, Otoes 
and Missouris, and Pawnees. 

The commissioners in arranging for its opening also nego- 
tiated with the Pawnees, and with the Tonkawas, who had 
taken the reservation of the Nez Perces. The Cherokees took 
no allotments as they had plenty of land in the Cherokee 
Nation proper. The Pawnees and Tonkawas took allotments. 

Sections 16 and 36 were reserved for the common schools, 
Section 13 for territorial (now state) educational institutions, 
Lands re- an d section 33 for public buildings. Two rods 
served were reserved on each side of every section line 

for highways, thus fixing a road four rods wide on every sec- 
tion line. 

The Cherokees were paid $8,300,000 for the Outlet, and the 
Pawnees and Tonkawas were paid $ 110,000 for their surplus 
land. 

The land in the eastern part of the Outlet was considered 
more valuable, and it decreased in value toward the west. 
Three land For this reason the Outlet was divided into three 
districts divisions. The settlers in the eastern division 

were to pay two dollars and a half an acre for the land when 



Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 67 

final proof was made, the settlers in the central division were 
to pay one dollar and a half per acre, and those in the western 
division were to pay one dollar per acre. 

Before the land was settled it was divided into counties 
which were designated by letter, a half-section was laid off 
for each county seat, and each county seat was named. 
Land offices were also established : one for the eastern dis- 
trict at Perry, one for the central district at Enid, and one 
for the western district at Woodward. 

At the former openings there had been so much trouble on 
account of " sooners " that a plan for registering was devised. 
All who desired claims were compelled to register and receive 
a certificate before the day of the opening, which was Sep- 
tember 16, 1893. Registration booths were established along 
the borders of the Outlet, and registering began in the latter 
part of August. The summer had been dry and hot, much of 
the grass had been burned. Thousands of people gathered 
about some of the booths. Many had to wait 

Registration 

for days before they could register. At first they 
had to stay in line all day, and even the first night. Many, 
unable to stand the heat or to hire some one to get them water, 
had to drop out of line and lose their turn to register. Then a 
scheme of numbering was devised, which was recognized by 
the registration officers at most of the booths. This was 
one of the most trying experiences that the homeseekers had 
to endure. The author of these lines is speaking from per- 
sonal experience. And yet all this work came to naught, as 
people were permitted to file without these certificates. 

On the day before the opening people gathered along the 
line. All were anxious to be fully prepared for the race. 
Most of those who wanted farms were to make the race on 
horseback. Swift horses had been secured by those who 



68 



Oklahoma History 



were able. Horses and ponies were trained and toughened 
for the run by days of practice. Some had planned to make 
the race in carts, others in buggies or wagons. Bicycles were 
brought into use, and vehicles made especially for the race. 
It would be a long story to tell all of the ways. One man, 
near the writer, had his team hitched to a breaking plow, 
ready, when the signal should be given, to begin his fall plow- 
ing. It might be said here that the man with the plow got 
the claim where he started to plow, and it was a good one. 




Registration Scene, Orlando, August, 1893 



Just before the signal was given everybody along the line 
became intensely quiet. All eyes were turned toward a 
The greatest soldier with a gun, who was to lire a shot as a 
race for land signal. The smoke of the gun was seen, but the 
sound was never heard, for the race was on. Horses and 
men dashed forward as if their lives depended on the race. 
Only those who participated in such a race can fully appre- 
ciate or understand such an event. Thousands made the 
race by train. A regular schedule was adopted, and the train 



Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 69 

stopped at regular intervals. Men and women packed the 
cars inside, and men covered the tops of the coaches and hung 
on wherever they could. This was the greatest of all the races. 
People ran not only for farms, but for lots in the cities. Perry 
and Enid were expected to become the largest cities. 

There were three railroads through the Outlet : the Santa 
Fe, south from Arkansas City ; the Rock Island, south from 
Caldwell ; and the Panhandle division of the Santa Fe which 
entered the Outlet at Kiowa and passed through Woodward 
to the Panhandle of Texas. 

Out of this domain were formed Pawnee, Kay, Noble, 
Grant, Garfield, Woods, and Woodward counties, and a 
small addition was made to Payne County. Woods and 
Woodward counties were afterward divided by the Constitu- 
tional Convention which formed the state constitution. 

Questions. Locate and give dimensions of the Cherokee Outlet. 
What do people usually call the Outlet? What Indian tribes were 
settled in it after 1866? What tribe was permitted to leave it? What 
tribe was put in its place ? What reservations were opened at the time 
of the Cherokee opening? What were the Cherokees paid for their 
interest? How much was given the other tribes? What Indians 
received allotments? W r hat lands were reserved? Why was the land 
divided into land districts ? Into how many ? Where were land offices 
established? What is a land office? Why were the settlers required 
to register? How well did it serve its purpose? What railroads were 
in the Outlet at that time? Trace them. What counties were formed? 
Which of them have been changed? By whom? 

Written Work. Write a description of a registration scene. Of a 
race scene. Of a scene at a land office. Draw a map of the Outlet, 
showing the counties formed and the Indian reservations which still 
remained. 



jo Oklahoma History 

LESSON 26 

THE KICKAPOO COUNTRY AND GREER 

COUNTY 

The home of the Kickapoos was originally near the Great 
Lakes. They were forced from one state to another until 
they were located in Kansas, where some of them took allot- 
ments and became citizens. Some of the Kickapoos, disliking 
the treatment they received at the hands of the people of the 
United States, went to Mexico, where they became trouble- 
some by raiding along the borders. Some of them returned 
to the United States and were given land that had been ceded 
by the Creeks. Their reservation was south of the Iowas 
between the North Canadian and the Deep Fork rivers. 

Before their country was opened to settlement, the Kicka- 
poos took allotments, and about one-half of the reservation 
Kickapoo was se t apart as school lands to indemnify the 
opening Territory (now state) for the loss of sections 16 

and 36 in the Osage and Kaw reservations. As those two 
tribes owned all their lands, the Territory never expected to 
get the usual school section in their reservation. The open- 
ing took place May 23, 1895, and was on the race plan. The 
race, as a whole, was not exciting, as so much of the land had 
been reserved. Their lands were attached to Oklahoma, 
Lincoln, and Pottawatomie counties. 

By the treaty made between the United States and Spain 

in 181 9 the boundary lines between our country and the 

Spanish possessions in North America commenced 

Boundary ^ r 

treaty with at the mouth of the Sabine River, continuing 

up that stream to the 32 north latitude, then 

north to the Red River, then up that stream to the 100th 

meridian, then north to the Arkansas River, then up that 



The Kickapoo Country and Greer County 71 

stream to the 42 north latitude, then west to the Pacific 
Ocean. 

In 1 82 1 Mexico gained her independence from Spain, and 
the boundary lines mentioned became the boundary between 
the United States and Mexico. When Texas became inde- 
pendent from Mexico in 1836, the same lines separated our 
country from Texas. When Texas became a state, the same 
line was recognized as her eastern and northern boundary. 

It will be remembered that our explorers experienced con- 
siderable difficulty in tracing the Red River to its source. 
Marcy in 1852, in going up the stream, followed Greer County 
the North Fork to its source, then searched for decislon 
the source of the South Fork. The fact that Marcy mistook 
the North Fork for the main stream gave Texas some reason 
for claiming that stream to be the boundary to the 100th 
meridian rather than the South Fork. 

Later discoveries seemed to prove the South Fork to be the 
main stream. In 1890 Congress authorized the Attorney- 
General to institute suit against Texas in the Supreme Court 
of the United States, to gain possession of Greer County, 
claiming the south fork of the Red River to be the main stream. 
The Supreme Court decided in favor of the United States. 
In May, 1896, Congress attached Greer County to Oklahoma. 
It continued as Greer County, Oklahoma, until statehood, 
when it was divided by the Constitutional Convention into 
Jackson and Greer counties, and the north part was made a 
part of Beckham County. More recently Harmon County 
was formed from Greer County. 

Questions. What was the original home of the Kickapoos? Where 
did part of the tribe take allotments? Why did some of the tribes 
leave the United States ? Where did they go ? Where were they located 
later? When were their lands opened to settlement? Their reservation 



72 Oklahoma History 

was added to what counties? Why was such a large part of the land 
reserved? What is indemnity school land? Trace the boundary line 
agreed to by the treaty with Spain in 1819. Why did Texas claim Greer 
County? Who found the source of the Red River? When? When 
was suit brought to test the ownership of Greer County? Upon what 
did the question depend? How was it decided? When attached to 
Oklahoma ? What counties does it now form ? 



LESSON 27 
THE KIOWA AND COMANCHE OPENING 

The country belonging to the Kiowas, Comanches, the 
Apaches, and Wichitas, was the last great tract in Oklahoma 
Lands re- to be opened to settlement. It had formerly 
served belonged to the Choctaws and Chickasaws, and 

had been ceded by them to the United States in 1866. It 
extended from the 98th meridian west to Greer County, and 
from the Red River north to the Canadian and to the Cheyenne 
and Arapahoe country. 

Lands were allotted to the Indians and sections 16 and 36, and 
13 and t,^ were reserved, also certain pasture lands, one known 
as the Big Pasture. The remainder was opened to settlement. 

Opening lands to settlement by the race plan had not been 
satisfactory. The desire for land had become so great that 
many persons would resort to unfair means to gain it. By the 
race plan many persons were hurt and horses were run until 
many dropped dead. Contests and other difficulties arose. 
It was decided in this opening to try another 
for drawing plan. The land was divided into two districts 
at El Reno, with a land office for each. The land office 

July, 1901 

for the north district was at El Reno, and 
the land office for the south district was at Lawton. 



The Kiowa and Comanche Opening 73 

Persons wanting land were required to go to the land 
office of the district in which they wished to settle and register, 
and at the same time make oath that they were Method of the 
entitled to take land under the Homestead Law. drawin g 
Each person's name was placed in a plain, unmarked envelope 
and sealed. The envelopes were put in a large box that could 
be turned around like a wheel so as to mix them thoroughly. 




Registering for the Drawing at El Reno 

They were then drawn out one at a time. The person whose 
name was drawn out first at El Reno was allowed to file 
first on any land in the north district. The person whose 
name was drawn out first at Lawton was allowed to file first 
on any land in the south district. The first name drawn at 
Lawton was James Wood. The second was Mattie Beal. 
The drawing was not a lottery. No one drew a claim and 
no one drew a blank. The drawing was simply to decide the 
order of filing. When Mr. Wood's name was drawn first at 
Lawton, it meant that he had the right to file first on land in 



74 Oklahoma History 

that district. Had he chosen not to file at all, he would have 
received no land. 

Registration began at each of the land offices July 9, and 
the drawings began July 27, ten days before the opening, 
Opening which was August 6. When a person's name 

August 6,1901 was drawn ou t f the box, he was notified, and he 
could go into the country and pick out land that he wanted. 

The act of Congress providing for the opening, divided the 
country into three counties and named them Caddo, Comanche, 
and Kiowa. It also set apart one half-section of land in each 
county for a county seat, and named each. 

Lots in the county seat were staked off, and beginning 
with the day of the opening they were sold at public auction 
Lots sold at to the highest bidder. The money received from 
auction j-^g sa j e f j- ne j £ S was usec j f or building court- 

houses, school buildings, bridges, and other public works. 
One hundred and sixty thousand persons registered, about 
six for every claim. 

Questions. Locate the Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita country' 
What lands were reserved? Why were the openings on the race plan 
objectionable? How many land districts were there? Where was the 
land office of each ? At how many places did the drawings take place ? 
How were the drawings conducted ? What was the purpose of the draw- 
ing? When did registration begin? When did the drawings begin? 
When did the filing begin? How many counties were formed? Name 
them. What were their county seats ? How were the lots disposed of ? 
What was done with the money? 

Written Work. Write an account of the drawing at El Reno. De- 
scribe the lot sale at Lawton. Write the story of Geronimo. 



Big Pasture and other Additions 75 

LESSON 28 
BIG PASTURE AND OTHER ADDITIONS 

The Kiowa and Comanche country was the last great tract 
of land in Oklahoma to be thrown open to white settlement. 
There was still one tract of considerable size to be settled 
that was known as the Big Pasture. Then there were a 
few Indian tribes whose tribal governments were to be brought 
to an end and their lands placed under county government. 

The lands of the Kaws, Poncas, and the Otoes and Mis- 
souris were divided among the membership of each tribe, and 
their reservations were attached to and made a 
part of Kay, Noble, and Pawnee counties. All Ka w,Ponca, 

. . . . and Otoe- 

of their lands were distributed among the Indians, Missouri 
none being opened to white settlement. The dis- "* s en e ' 
tribution was completed, and their tribal govern- 
ments ceased in 1904. 

The Big Pasture was a large tract of land in the southern 
part of Comanche County that had been reserved by the 
Kiowas and Comanches for pasture land. Later, Big Pasture 
they decided to sell it, and it was opened to settle- °P enin s» x 9<>6 
ment in 1906. The Government sold it for the Indians. It 
was sold to the highest bidder by sealed bids. The settlers 
were required to have the qualifications of homesteaders. 
Each person was allowed to bid upon several tracts not to 
exceed one hundred sixty acres each, but he was allowed 
to take only one. Part of the purchase price had to be in- 
closed with each bid. The purchaser was to pay for the land 
in five equal payments. At the time of the opening the land 
was included in Comanche County, now part of it is included 
in Tillman County. 



y6 Oklahoma History 

The Osage Nation was included in Oklahoma Territory for 
court purposes in 1893, Du t it was not opened to white settle- 
ment. Thev were the last Indians in Oklahoma to 

Osage Nation . . ; 

receive their lands in severalty. All 01 their 
land was divided among the members of the tribe ; none of it 
was opened to settlement by the whites. The Osages are 
thought by some to be the richest people in the world. There 
are only a few more than two thousand of them. At the 
beginning of statehood the Osage Nation was formed into 
one county, Osage County. 

It will be seen that Oklahoma was settled unlike any other 
state. 

1. The unassigned lands (Old Oklahoma) settled by race 
for claims, April 22, 1889. 

2. The Public Land Strip (No Man's Land) added by 
the Organic Act, May 2, 1890. 

3. Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie-Shawnee reserva- 
tions by the race plan, September 22, 1891. 

4. Cheyenne and Arapahoe country by race plan, April 
19, 1892. 

5. Cherokee Outlet (Strip), by race, September 16, 1893. 

6. Kickapoo country, by race, May 23, 1895. 

7. Greer County, by act of Congress, May 4, 1896. 

8. Kiowa-Comanche country by drawing, August 6, 
1901. 

9. Kaw, Ponca, and Otoe-Missouri reservations, by ending 
tribal governments and attaching land to counties, 1904. 

10. Big Pasture, by sealed bids, in 1906. 

11. Osage Nation made a part of Oklahoma for court 
purposes, 1893, made a county, 1907. 

12. The Indian Territory, including the lands belonging 
to the Five Civilized Tribes and the smaller tribes east of the 



Big Pasture and other Additions 77 

Grand River, was made a part of the state of Oklahoma, by 
statehood, 1907. 

Questions. Locate the first tract in Oklahoma that was opened to 
settlement. What was it called? How many counties were formed? 
Name them. What was the first addition to Old Oklahoma? How 
was it added? Give its previous history. What was the next open- 
ing? When? How? What new counties? Name the next addition, 
giving time and manner of opening. Name the counties and parts added 
to counties. What was the greatest opening? Give time and manner of 
opening. What new counties? Name, and give time and manner of 
next opening. Why was it not an exciting race? What is indemnity 
school land? What county was added, having already been an organ- 
ized county? Give its history. What opening in 1901 ? Describe the 
manner of opening. Name the counties and tell how they were formed 
and named. How were the county seats opened? Give time and man- 
ner of adding the Kaw, Ponca, and Otoe-Missouri lands. Tell how and 
when the Big Pasture was settled. How and when was the Osage 
Nation added? The Indian Territory? 

Written Work. Write an account of the growth of Oklahoma in 
area. Draw a map of Oklahoma, showing openings and additions. 



PERIOD OF TERRITORIAL 
GOVERNMENT 



LESSON 29 
CLASSES OF TERRITORIES 

As the word " territory " is used with different meanings, it is 
well to explain the different ways in which it is used in this 
history of Oklahoma, and to understand also the different 
classes of territories in the United States. 

The first territory organized under the government of the 
United States was the Northwest Territory, which was or- 
The first ganized by Congress under Articles of Confedera- 

temtory tion. Its Organic Act was called the Ordinance 

of 1787. Its form of government has served as a model for 
other territorial governments formed since then. 

The Constitution of the United States (Art. IV, Sec. 3) gives 
Congress the power to "make all needful rules and regulations 
respecting the territory belonging to the United States. " 
Under this authority Congress has organized territories and 
made provisions for the government of the lands belonging 
to our country. 

The word " territory " in its broadest sense simply means 
lands without any reference to government. Territories 
Classes of with reference to government may be divided 
territories m £ fae following classes : unorganized, partially 
organized, fully organized, and subject possessions. 

Unorganized territory means lands, largely unsettled, that 
have no government. An example would be the lands ceded 

78 



Classes of Territories 79 

by Mexico to the United States in 1848, which were organized 
into the territories of Utah and New Mexico by the Com- 
promise Bill of 1850. Between 1848 and 1850 this region 
was unorganized territory. 

A fully organized territory is one which has been given 
by Congress a complete government consisting of three 
branches, — legislative, executive, and judicial — and which is 
allowed a delegate in the lower house of Congress. Hawaii 
is an example. Oklahoma Territory was fully organized just 
before statehood. 

A partially organized territory may be organized in different 
degrees. Congress might provide for'its executive and judicial 
branches only, as was the case in Alaska for several years. In 
such a case Congress would make the laws. A territory 
might be given legislative, executive, and judicial branches, 
but allowed no delegate in Congress. In all cases where 
the territory is organized, yet has not all of the four ele- 
ments necessary for a fully organized territory, it is said to 
be partially organized. 

Congress has the power to change the government of 
territories, even to taking away the government given them, 
as was done in the case of the District of Columbia. 

Subject possessions are those territories or lands belonging 
to the United States and yet not a part of the country in the 
fullest sense, — Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands are 
examples. 

When Congress provided for the establishment of an 
Indian country or territory (1830), and set apart a large 
domain west of Arkansas and Missouri for the T ,. 

Indian 

Indians, that territory was unorganized. When Territory 
states and territories had been carved out of that ° g m 
tract, making the Indian Territory include all of what is now 



80 Oklahoma History 

Oklahoma (except the Panhandle), the territory was still 
unorganized. After settlements had been made in the western 
half, and Oklahoma Territory formed, the Indian Territory, 
or eastern half, was still an unorganized territory. It is 
true that courts were provided to settle difficulties and a 
commission was provided to deal with the Indians, but there 
was no corporate or political organization known as the 
Indian Territory. 

Questions. What was the first territory formed by the United 
States? Who has the power to form territories? Quote authority. 
Name the classes of territories. Explain each class and give an example 
of each. To which class did the Indian Territory belong? Oklahoma 
Territory? What is a corporation? A public corporation? Tell 
whether the Indian Territory had a capital. 

Written Work. Write a sketch of the Indian Territory. 



LESSOX 30 
TRIBAL GOVERNMENT 



Upon their removal to the Indian Territory, the Five Civi- 
lized Tribes were permitted to govern themselves. The 
Cherokee Eastern and Western Cherokees united and 
government adopted a constitution in 1839 and made Tahle- 
quah their capital. After the Civil War it was necessary for 
them to make some changes in their constitution, which they 
did in 1866. 

Their government was modeled after that of a state, and 
consisted of legislative, executive, and judicial departments. 
The legislative power was vested in the National Council, 
which consisted of two houses, the senate and the council. 
The nation was divided into nine districts, the number had 



Tribal Government 



81 



been eight. The senate consisted of two members from 
each district. Each district was allowed two members in 
the council, and additional members according to voting 
population. The members of both houses were elected 
by the people. Male citizens eighteen years of age were 
allowed to vote. 

The chief executive authority was vested in a Principal 
Chief elected by the voters for a term of four years. Other 




Chero'<ee Capitol, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 

important executive officers were Assistant Principal Chief, 
National Treasurer, and editor of the Cherokee Advocate. 

The judicial power was vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit 
Courts, and District Courts. The Supreme Court consisted 
of three judges chosen by the National Council. 

The Creek government was not a very advanced form 
until they adopted a written constitution in 1867. Their new 
government provided for a Principal Chief, who creek 
was elected by the people for a term of four years. g° vernment 
The legislative power was vested in a National Council, consist- 



82 



Oklahoma History 



ing of a House of Kings and a House of Warriors. The Nation 
was divided into forty-eight clans ; each clan had a member 
in the upper house. There were twice as many members in the 
lower house. Okmulgee was the capital of the Creek Nation. 
When the Seminoles were moved west, they were settled 
with the Creeks. The idea of the Government was for them 




Creek Capitol, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 

to become part of that Nation. The Seminoles were dis- 
satisfied, and the Government arranged for them to have 
separate lands and government of their own. At first their 
government was much like that of the Indians before they 
came in contact with the whites. When their nation was 
reorganized after the Civil War, they adopted the ideas 
of the other civilized nations. 

Their most important executive officers were a Principal 
Seminole Chief and a Treasurer elected by the people, 
government They also had a superintendent of schools. 
Their council consisted of but one house, made up of leaders 



Tribal Government 



83 



of their fourteen clans. Wewoka was the capital of the 
Seminole Nation. 

The Choctaw country, before 1855, was divided into four 
districts, one of which the Chickasaws occupied. Each dis- 
trict elected a Principal Chief, and these four chiefs'formed 




Chickasaw Capitol, Tishomingo, Oklahoma 

the executive department of the Choctaw-Chickasaw peoples. 
After the Chickasaws were given a separate district and 
government, the Choctaws adopted a constitu- Choctaw 
tion more like that of a state government. It g<> vernment 
provided for a Principal Chief at the head of the executive 
department and a council consisting of two houses. The 
capital of the Nation was Tuskahoma. 

The Chickasaws, after their withdrawal from the Choctaws, 



84 Oklahoma History 

adopted a constitution quite like that of the government of 
a state. Their chief executive was a Principal Chief. The 
Chickasaw legislative power was vested in a council corn- 
government posed of two houses. In the upper house were 
twelve members, and in the lower house twenty members. 
The capital of the Nation was Tishomingo. 

The development of the government of the Five Civilized 
Tribes from a primitive form to the present advanced state 
government is an exceptionally interesting study. In a com- 
paratively short time they have passed from the days of un- 
written laws, when the powers of government were largely in 
the hands of chiefs, to a time when the government is largely 
in the hands of the people. The changes have been gradual. 
They have passed through a training school of experience. 

Questions. When and where did the Cherokee Nation unite? Why 
did the Five Civilized Tribes need to change their constitutions after 
the Civil War ? Why did the Seminoles separate from the Creeks ? The 
Chickasaws from the Choctaws? What is meant by executive depart- 
ment? By legislative department ? By judicial department? Compare 
the executive departments of the Five Civilized Tribes. The legislative 
departments. The judicial departments. Where did these Indians get 
their ideas of government? Name and locate the capital of each nation. 

Written Work. Write sketches of William C. Rogers, D. H. John- 
son, Green McCurtain, Pleasant Porter, and John F. Brown. 



LESSON 31 

DAWES COMMISSION AND CURTIS ACT 

It will be remembered that the "rider" passed by Congress 
in 1889, providing for the opening of Old Oklahoma to settle- 
ment, also provided for the appointment of a commission to 
induce the Indians to receive allotments and sell their surplus 



Dawes Commission and Curtis Act 85 

lands. That commission did its work well. It arranged for 
opening the lands in Oklahoma to settlement. 

The Dawes Commission was appointed in 1893 to negotiate 
with the Five Civilized Tribes to induce them to receive their 
lands in severalty and to close up their tribal Dawes 
affairs. The commission was composed of three C( > mmisslon 
men, later five, with Henry L. Dawes as chairman. For 
that reason it was called the Dawes Commission. 

This commission had an immense task to perform. It 
took several years to induce the Indians to divide up their 
lands and give up their tribal government. When they 
agreed to do so, it required much work to carry out the 
agreements. A complete roll of each tribe had to be made, the 
lands had to be surveyed and valued, then allotted to the mem- 
bers of the tribes, so that each one would receive lands of 
about the same value. 

After the Civil War, and especially after the first railroad 
had crossed the Indian Territory, many whites went into 
that region. Some provisions had to be made to 

to ^ Curtis Act 

meet the changed conditions. In 1899 Congress 
passed a law known as the Curtis Act which extended the laws 
of Arkansas over, the Indian Territory as far as applicable. 
It provided for the establishment of schools for the whites 
in the rural districts, and placed the tribal schools under 
Federal supervision. It abolished tribal courts and provided 
that tribal governments should cease January 1, 1906. It 
also authorized the cities to incorporate, with power to levy 
taxes to keep up city schools and government. 

The Dawes Commission was authorized to carry out many 
of the provisions of the Curtis Act. Town sites had to be 
laid out and the lots disposed of. This commission had its 
headquarters at Muskogee. 



86 Oklahoma History 

The tribal courts had no jurisdiction over white men, unless 
they had been taken into the tribe, and white men had no 
Federal standing in the tribal courts. Things were in 

courts a ver y chaotic condition. The United States 

District Courts sitting at Fort Smith, Arkansas ; Paris, 
Texas ; and Wichita, Kansas were given jurisdiction over 
Federal cases in the Territory. Most of the trials were at 
Fort Smith, but, no doubt, many cases were untried. 

At the time Old Oklahoma was opened to settlement a 
Federal Court was established in the Indian Territory, but 
tribal courts continued also. At the time Indian Territory 
entered statehood it was divided into four Federal Court 
districts, and the judges of these districts sitting together 
formed a United States Court of Appeals. It will be seen 
that some provisions for Federal government in the Indian 
Territory were made by Congress although the Territory was 
not organized. The Dawes Commission may be compared 
with a probate court. A probate court settles up the affairs 
of deceased persons, or appoints persons to do so, and appoints 
guardians to look after the property of minors and others 
who are unable to look after their affairs. 

The Dawes Commission settled up the affairs of tribes 
which were soon to cease, and took charge of the affairs of 
the Indians, who were regarded as wards by the Government. 

Questions. When was a commission appointed to negotiate with 
the Indians in Oklahoma ? What did they accomplish ? What was the 
Dawes Commission? Give the provisions of the Curtis Act. Why was 
such a law needed? Over whom did tribal courts have jurisdiction? 
What is meant by jurisdiction? When were tribal courts abolished? 
Where were Federal Courts established? 

Written Work. Write a paper on the work of the Dawes Commis- 
sion. 



Oklahoma Organized 87 

LESSON 32 
OKLAHOMA ORGANIZED 

Oklahoma was hardly settled when its citizens began to 
plan for government. In some of the cities steps were taken 
to organize city government on the evening of the first day. 

Then people were anxious for territorial government, and 
there were many reasons why some government should be 



■ 


^?^%^ 




"\ 












n£?*^^^*^ 


mm^m 



First Territorial Convention at Guthrie, Ok/a., July 20, 1889 

provided. Schools, roads, and bridges were needed, as well 
as some way to adjust difficulties and give protection. 

Some of the people wanted to organize a territorial govern- 
ment without waiting for Congress to do so. A conven- 
tion consisting of ninety-six delegates met in . 
Guthrie, July 19, 1889, to consider the matter, tonal con- 
The convention adjourned to meet a month 
later. The second convention was divided. Some of the 
delegates wanted to organize a territorial government, others 
wanted to petition Congress and wait for it to act. Some 
steps were taken towards forming a territorial government, 
but they were not carried out. A petition was prepared and 
sent to Congress. 



88 Oklahoma History 

The petition was presented, and people went to Washington 
to urge Congress to act quickly, but Congress could not be 
hurried. That body met the first Monday in December, 
1889, and the bill forming Oklahoma Territory became a law, 
May 2, 1890. 

The Organic Act provided for legislative, executive, and 

judicial branches of government, and a delegate to Congress. 

It was to be a fully organized territory. In corn- 
Organic Act 

pliance with the Organic Act, President Harrison 

immediately appointed George W. Steele to be governor. He 

came to Guthrie and took up his work, May 22, 1890. There 

was much to do before the Territory would be fully organized. 

There were no county or township governments. 

The Organic Act provided for the organization of seven 
counties which were known at first by numbers. Governor 
Steele appointed all of the county officers for these counties. 
These officers were to hold office until their successors should 
oe regularly elected. 

By the Organic Act the laws of Nebraska were to be the 

laws of the Territory until the legislature should change them. 

Governor Steele called an election for members of 

First terri- 

toriaiiegis- the legislature to be held August 5. The Or- 
ganic Act provided for thirteen members of 
the Council, or upper house, and twenty-six members of 
the House of Representatives. The first legislature was 
organized August 29, 1890, after a delay caused by the death 
of two members who had been elected. There was demand 
for much legislation, but the location of the capital was the 
all-absorbing topic. 

The capital was to remain at Guthrie until some other 
place should be selected. Oklahoma City was Guthrie's 
strongest rival. A bill was passed by the legislature locating 



Under Territorial Government 89 

the capital at Oklahoma City, but Governor Steele vetoed it. 
The legislature modified the Nebraska laws to meet the 
conditions of the new Territory. 

On November 4, 1890, an election was held for a delegate 
to Congress. David A. Harvey was elected for the term be- 
ginning March 4, 1891, and also to fill out the term which 
was to expire at that time. The Organic Act provided for a 
Supreme Court consisting of three judges to be appointed 
by the President and the Senate. These judges were also 
to serve as district judges. The governor was also to appoint 
other executive officers of the Territory. 

Questions. When was Oklahoma settled? When and where was 
the first territorial convention held ? Purpose ? When did the second 
convention meet ? What did it do ? When did the Organic Act become 
a law ? What was to be done before the Territory should be fully organ- 
ized. When did the first territorial legislature meet? What was the 
chief question before it? How was it settled? Who was elected as the 
first delegate to Congress? When? For how long? How are terri- 
torial judges chosen ? How were the first county officers chosen ? 



LESSON 33 
UNDER TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 

Oklahoma was under territorial government from May 22 
1890, until November 16, 1907, a period of seventeen and one 
half years. During that time it increased in population from 
about sixty thousand to more than seven hundred thousand, 
and increased many times in area. It changed from a wild, 
undeveloped waste to a well-settled, prosperous common- 
wealth. 

As the governors were appointed by the President, the 



90 Oklahoma History 

administrations in the Territory were politically the same as 
in the nation. 

Governor Steele served from May 22, 1890, to October, 1891. 
By vetoing the Oklahoma City Capital Bill, he incurred the 
Governor displeasure of a number of political leaders. He 
Steele resigned and returned to Indiana. During the 

time he served, the Territory was organized ; the Iowa, Sac 
and Fox, and Pottawatomie-Shawnee reservations were 
settled, and three territorial schools were established : the 
University at Norman, the Agricultural and Mechanical 
College at Stillwater, and the Normal School at Edmond. 

Governor A. J. Seay was also appointed by President 
Harrison. He served from October 18, 1891, to May 7, 1893. 
Governor He was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 
Sea y of the Territory at the time of his appointment. 

The Cheyenne and Arapahoe country was settled during 
his term, and Dennis Flynn (Republican) was elected delegate 
to Congress. 

William C. Renfrow was governor from May 7, 1893 to 
May 24, 1897, a full term. Governors of territories are ap- 
Govemor pointed for four years, but may be removed 
Renfrow sooner. During his term the Cherokee Outlet 

and the Kickapoo country were settled and Greer County 
added to Oklahoma. The Dawes Commission was appointed 
in 1893. Flynn was reelected to Congress in 1894 and was 
defeated by James Y. Callahan in 1896. The Democrats 
and Populists fused to elect Callahan. 

Cassius M. Barnes was appointed governor, May 24, 1897, 
and served until April 15, 1901, practically a full term. The 
Governor Spanish-American War occurred while he was in 
Barnes office, and President McKinley made two calls 

for volunteers. Under the first call, Oklahoma and Indian 



Under Territorial Government 91 

Territory each furnished one troop of cavalry. These two 
troops were "Rough Riders." Oklahoma was allowed to 
organize a battalion of four companies under the second call. 
Flynn was elected delegate to Congress in 1898 and again in 

1900. He had declared himself in favor of a law giving the 
settlers their homes free. This applied particularly to the 
Cherokee Outlet where it was about time for the settlers to 
prove up their lands. The Free Homes Bill became a law 
June 17, 1900. During this time Congress also passed the 
Curtis Act, and the legislature established the Northwestern 
Normal School at Alva and the University Preparatory 
School at Tonkawa. 

Early in 1901 there was considerable excitement aroused 
by the report that Crazy Snake, a Creek chief, was about to 
take the warpath. He was simply trying to restore the old 
laws and customs of his tribe. 

Governor William M. Jenkins was appointed by President 
McKinley, April 15, 1901, and served until November 30, 1901, 
when he was removed by President Roosevelt. Governor 
During the short time he served the Southwestern J enkins 
Normal School was established at Weatherford and the Kiowa 
and Comanche country was opened to settlement. 

Thompson B. Ferguson was governor from November 30, 

1 901, to January 5, 1906. He served a little more than four 
years, as no appointment had been made when Governor 
his term expired. While he was governor, the Fer s uson 
tribal governments of the Kaws, Poncas, and Otoe-Missouris 
were ended and their lands added to Kay, Noble, and 
Pawnee counties. The Sequoyah Convention was held at 
Muskogee, in 1905, and a tornado almost destroyed Snyder 
the same year. Bird McGuire was elected delegate to Con- 
gress in 1902, and again in 1904. 



92 Oklahoma History 

During Governor Ferguson's term the statehood question 
was uppermost in the minds of the people. Conventions were 
held and lively discussions took place, some favored single, 
others separate, statehood. 

Governor Frank Frantz served from January 5, 1906, to 
November 16, 1907. The Big Pasture was settled in Decem- 
Governor Der > 1906. The most important event of his 

Frantz term was the passage of the Omnibus Statehood 

Bill which provided for the admission of Oklahoma and the 
Indian Territory as one state, and the territories of New 
Mexico and Arizona as another state. Oklahoma and the 
Indian Territory were divided into delegate districts, and 
delegates were elected to the Constitutional Convention. 
The convention met and framed a constitution. This con- 
stitution was submitted to the people for their approval and 
at the same time state officers were elected. 

The election resulted in the adoption of the constitution 
by a large majority, so the President proclaimed Oklahoma 
a state. 

Questions. During what time was Oklahoma a territory? How 
much had it increased in population? In area? How are governors 
of a territory chosen? Name the governors in order of service, giving 
time each served. What is the length of a term of a territorial governor ? 
Why did some of the governors of Oklahoma serve a shorter period? 
Which governor served the shortest time? • Why? Who was governor 
during the war with Spain ? How many men did Oklahoma send to the 
war? What is a troop? Name the delegates to Congress. What was 
the Free Homes Bill? What territorial schools were established? 

Written Work. Write sketches of each of the governors. 



The Struggle for Statehood 93 

LESSON 34 
THE STRUGGLE FOR STATEHOOD 

Agitation for the admission of Oklahoma into the Union 
as a state began soon after the Territory was organized. In 
December, 1893, Delegate Flynn introduced a bill in Congress, 
providing for the admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory 
as one state. The House Committee on Territories reported in 
favor of the admission of Oklahoma alone. A Democratic 
Statehood Convention met at Perry in January, 1894, which 
declared in favor of single statehood. A council of Indians 
belonging to the Five Civilized Tribes, was held at Eufaula 
in March, 1894, which adopted resolutions against statehood. 

From this time on, people were divided on the statehood 
question. Some favored single statehood, or the singleand 
forming of a single state out of Oklahoma and separate 
the Indian Territory. Others wanted a separate 
state to be made of Oklahoma, leaving the Indian Terri- 
tory to be cared for at some other time. The term double 
statehood was also used. That term meant to make two 
states of the two territories. Joint statehood meant to join 
the two territories into one state. 

Interest in the question of statehood continued to grow. 
Conventions of various kinds — business, religious, and educa- 
tional — adopted resolutions urging Congress to act. State- 
hood Conventions memorialized Congress to pass a Statehood 
Bill. Some were for single, others for separate, statehood. 

There were many reasons for delay. Those interested 
could not unite on any one plan. Most of the Democratic 
leaders in Congress favored two states. Most of the Republi- 
can leaders wanted but one state. Many of the eastern 
Congressmen thought the Indians were not ready for state- 



94 Oklahoma History 

hood. Some even thought Oklahoma too much of a wild- 
west region to convert into a state. 

Delegate Flynn succeeded in getting an Omnibus Statehood 
Bill through the House in 1902, but it failed to pass the Senate 
before the end of that Congress, March 4, 1903. 

Delegate McGuire secured the passage of a bill through the 
House, providing for a separate state to be formed of Okla- 
homa. The Senate amended the bill, making one state of 
the two territories. The House refused to concur, so the bill 
failed to become a law. 

In July, 1905, a convention was held at Muskogee, con- 
sisting of delegates who favored making a separate state of 
Sequoyah the Indian Territory. This convention drew 
convention U p a cons titution for the state of Sequoyah, as it 
was proposed to call the state. The constitution was sub- 
mitted to the people of the Indian Territory for their approval. 
The vote was light, but the majority of those who voted 
favored the constitution. Congress was then asked to admit 
the proposed state of Sequoyah into the Union. No action 
was taken by Congress, and the effort failed to secure state- 
hood, but it brought a number of men into prominence and 
prepared them for the Constitutional Convention, which 
formed the constitution for Oklahoma. Charles N. Haskell 
and William Murray were the leaders in the Sequoyah Con- 
vention. Pleasant Porter, governor of the Creek Nation , 
was chairman. 

After a long struggle the fifty-ninth Congress passed the 
Omnibus Statehood Bill, June 14, 1906 (Flag Day), and it was 
Omnibus approved by the President, June 16. It pro- 

statehood vided for a single state of Oklahoma and Indian 

Bill 

Territory, and for a single state of Arizona and 
New Mexico, provided the people in those two territories 



The Struggle for Statehood 



95 



wanted to unite. The people of the two last-named terri- 
tories were opposed to uniting, and as a result those states 
did not enter the Union until the year 191 2. 

The Enabling Act provided for one hundred and twelve 
delegates, to be elected to a Constitutional Convention ; 
fifty-five from Oklahoma, fifty-five from Indian Territory, 
and two from the Osage Nation. Oklahoma was divided 
into fifty-five districts by the governor, the secretary, and the 
chief justice of the Ter- 




City Hall, Guthrie, Oklahoma 



ritory. Indian Territory 
was divided into fifty-five 
districts by the commis- 
sioner of the Five Tribes 
and two of the judges of the 
Federal Courts of Indian 
Territory. The delegates 
were elected November 6, 
1906. Ninety-nine were 
Democrats, twelve Republi- 
cans, and one Independent. 

The convention met in the City Hall at Guthrie, November 20 
1906, and continued in session until July, 1907, except that 
they took two recesses ; one in April, to give the committees a 
chance to complete their work, and the other in June, to await 
the result of an injunction suit brought against the convention. 
The constitution was submitted to the people, September 
17, 1907. At the same time state officers were elected. One 
provision of the Enabling Act was that there should be prohi- 
bition in the Indian Territory part of the state constitution 
for twenty-one years. A proposition to have ratlfied 
prohibition in the entire state for twenty-one years was sub- 
mitted to the voters at the same time, as an amendment 



96 Oklahoma History 

to the constitution. The constitution was ratified by an 
overwhelming majority. The prohibition amendment was 
carried by eighteen thousand. The Democratic party elected 
their candidates for the state officers. 

William H. Murray was president of the Constitution Con- 
vention. Charles N. Haskell was the leader of the majority 
party in the convention, and Henry Asp was the leader of 
the minority. 

President Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma a state, Novem- 
ber 16, 1907. 

Questions. What is meant by single statehood? Separate state- 
hood? How is a state admitted into the Union? Why did Congress 
delay the matter so long? Why were conventions called at various 
times? Why were resolutions passed? What delegates to Congress 
were active in trying to secure statehood? What is an Omnibus Bill? 
When did the Omnibus Statehood Bill become a law? What is an 
Enabling Act? How many delegates were provided for in the Enabling 
Act? How distributed? What were they to do? When were the 
delegates elected? How long was the Constitutional Convention in 
session ? When was the constitution voted upon ? W r hat other question 
was voted upon at the same time? When did Oklahoma become a 
state? How? When were state officers elected? 

Written Work. Write a brief account of the Sequoyah Convention. 
Make a list of the leading men in the Constitutional Convention. 



PERIOD OF STATEHOOD 



LESSON 35 
THE FORTY-SIXTH STATE 

Now that we have followed the story of a great state in its 
making, it may be well to pause and take a view of this, the 
forty-sixth state to enter our Union, that we may see what 
it is and how it was made. 

Explored by Spaniards, Frenchmen, and Americans ; claimed 
by Spain, France and England, it is now a constituent part 
of a great federal nation, on an equal footing with the other 
members of that Union. 

When the Europeans appropriated the New World to them- 
selves, they found here a native race which they called 
the Indian. This race being nomadic in instinct roamed at 
will, and most of its tribes had no very permanent place of 
abode. Many of the white people, therefore, developed the 
idea that the Indians had but little right to the land. If the 
Indians tried to prevent the encroachments of the whites, 
they were driven from their lands or forced to sell. 

The United States decided to give them a part of the western 
lands and let them have that to themselves. In accordance 
with this idea, Congress set apart an Indian Indian 
country in 1 830. The western part of the Louisana Terntor y 
Purchase was considered of little value, so Congress was 
generous. It set apart a great region west of Arkansas and 
Missouri, stretching from the Red River to the British Posses- 
sions. Tribes and remnants of tribes were moved there. 

97 



98 Oklahoma History 

This land afterwards proved to be more valuable than it 
was first thought to be, and the Indians had been given 
more than they needed. By the Kansas-Nebraska Bill (1854) 
the Indian country was narrowed down to the present limits 
of Oklahoma, leaving out the Panhandle. 

Later, the Five Tribes owning most of that region took sides 
with the Confederacy. By so doing they forfeited their treaty 
rights and in making new treaties they were forced to make 
terms which opened the way for the whites to invade their 
country. The white men brought progress and a more ad- 
vanced form of government. 

To-day we have a state of one million seven hundred 
thousand people. Hardly one hundred thousand of them are 
Indians. There are sixteen whites to one Indian. While 
the proportion of Indian blood is not great, yet this is the 
Indian state. It contains more Indian blood than any other 
state of the Union. Its name is Oklahoma (Red Man's 
Land). Many of its counties, cities, and rivers, and mounds 
have Indian names. 

Another important element in its development is the way 
it was settled. The other states have been settled by people 
Character of who came from states almost directly east of 
population them. People have moved westward mainly 
along parallel lines, a fact that has divided the country into 
two great segments, the north and the south. This region, 
having been set apart for Indians, withheld it from white 
settlement, until the whites had settled the country to the 
north and to the south of it. All of the first railroads that 
crossed it ran from north to south. When it was opened to 
settlement, people came from both the north and the south. 
There were brought together for the first time people from 
these two sections to form one commonwealth. The way 






Inauguration of State Government 99 

in which it was settled is worth considering. In all the lands 
opened by the race plan, great energy and great endurance 
were demanded. Hence, the population ought to have an 
unusually high percentage of those forces which go to make 
success. This fusion, this bringing together of the best blood of 
the north and the south and the American Indian, under the 
present favorable conditions, should produce the highest type 
of manhood and womanhood. 

Questions. Who were the Indians? Why were they so called? 
How did they live? How did the Europeans regard them? How did 
the whites treat them ? When did the United States set apart a country 
for them? What region was set apart? When and how was it cut 
down? In the treaties of 1866 what terms did the Five Civilized Tribes 
have to agree to? How did these terms lead to the settlement of this 
country by the whites? How many people in Oklahoma now? From 
what direction did the settlers in Oklahoma come? 

Written Work. Write a paper showing how a fusion of people from 
the north and the south will be an advantage. 



LESSON 36 
INAUGURATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT 

According to the Enabling Act Oklahoma would become a 
state the moment the President signed his name to the proc- 
lamation. In order that arrangements might President's 
be made for the inauguration of the first governor proclamation 
of the state, President Roosevelt gave notice in advance 
that he would sign the proclamation at ten o'clock a.m. 
(Eastern time), November 16, 1907. 

Governor Haskell took the oath of office at 9 : 20 a.m., which 
was as soon as this message from Washington was received. 



ioo Oklahoma History 

He did this that he might prevent a pipe line from being laid 
out of the state into Kansas. Had he waited to take the 
oath in public at twelve o'clock noon, the time set, there 
would have been an interval when Oklahoma would have 
been without a governor. The plan of those constructing the 
line was to extend the pipe across the state border during 
this interval. 

A large number of people from over the state assembled 
at Guthrie to see the inauguration. A sufficient number of 
inauguration beeves had been barbecued, so that any who 
ceremonies desired could eat barbecued beef. The ceremonies 
were held on a platform erected in front of the Carnegie Library, 
beginning at twelve o'clock. A marriage ceremony, repre- 
senting the union of the two territories, was performed. A 
lady represented Indian Territory and a man stood for Okla- 
homa, and as is usually the case, the bride took the husband's 
name. Governor Haskell again took the oath of office 
and delivered his inaugural address to a multitude of 
people. 

The task of starting the state government into operation 
was an important one. Half of the state had had no county 
government, in fact, little government of any kind. A new 
constitution, containing many new ideas, had to be put into 
operation. The territorial laws had to be modified to suit 
the changed conditions. 

Governor Haskell called the legislature to meet at Guth- 
rie the first Monday in December. Lieutenant Governor 
Bellamy was, ex-officio, President of the Senate. William 
H. Murray was chosen Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives. As soon as the legislature could do so, it elected two 
United States Senators. Robert L. Owen and Thomas P. 
Gore were chosen. 



Under State Government 101 

The members of the Supreme Court were John B. Turner, 
R. L. Williams, M. J. Kane, Samuel W. Hayes, and Jesse J. 
Dunn. They were elected at the time the state supreme 
officers were chosen. At that same election were Court 
chosen judges of the District Courts and all the county offi- 
cers, as well as members of both Houses of the state legislature. 
All of the state officers — legislative, executive, and judicial — 
and all of the county officers having been elected September 
17, and all of the officers having entered upon the duties 
of their offices, November 16, 1907, the government of the 
state was fully organized. 

Questions. When did Oklahoma become a state? Who was the 
first governor? In what ways had he been prominent before? When 
and where was he inaugurated? When did the first state legislature 
meet? Who presided over each House? How was each chosen to the 
position of presiding officer? Who were the first United States Senators 
from this state? How chosen? Who were the members of the Lower 
House of Congress from this state ? Name the members of the Supreme 
Court. When were the State Officers elected? The county officers? 
When did their terms begin ? What is meant by Eastern time. 

Written Work. Write a description of the inauguration of the first 
governor. Write fully the reason Governor Haskell took the oath of 
office twice. 



LESSON 37 

UNDER STATE GOVERNMENT 

Charles N. Haskell, the first governor of the State of Okla- 
homa, served from November 16, 1907 until Governor 
January, 191 1 . He had been a resident of Musko- Haske11 
gee smce 1900, had been a prominent member of the 
Sequoyah Constitutional Convention (1905), and had been 
the acknowledged leader in the Constitutional Convention 



102 Oklahoma History 

which met at Guthrie, November 20, 1906, to frame a consti- 
tution for the state of Oklahoma. He was the candidate 
of the Democratic party, his chief opponent being Frank 
Frantz, the Republican candidate. 

He called the legislature together as soon as it could be 
done by law. It assembled the first Monday in December 
First state an d continued in session for more than five 
legislature months. The constitution provided that the 
first session of the legislature might be one hundred and 
sixty days. The legislature on the day after it met and 
organized elected United States Senators Owen and Gore. 
The legislature revised the territorial statutes and enacted 
a number of important laws. Among them were the Guaranty 
Bank Deposit Law, the Compulsory Primary Election Law, 
and the Uniform Textbook Law. The Board of Agriculture 
was reorganized, and provisions were made for the establish- 
ment of three additional normal schools and six secondary 
schools of agriculture. 

One of the characteristic features of the Oklahoma con- 
stitution is that the people may initiate laws, also amend- 
initiative and nients to the constitution, and have laws and 
referendum amendments referred to them to be voted upon 
by them. A number of measures have been initiated by the 
people, and others have been referred to them by the legislature. 

One important question was the location of the state capital. 
The election was held June 11, 1910. The vote stood: 
Oklahoma City 92,261 ; Guthrie 31,301 ; Shawnee 8382. 
Governor Haskell at once moved the capital to Oklahoma City. 
Another initiated question was an amendment to the suffrage 
clause of the constitution, known as the Grandfather Clause. 
The election was held August 2, 1901. There were 134,443 
votes cast for the amendment, and 106,222 against it. 



Under State Government 103 

The Constitutional Convention had divided the state into 
seventy-five counties and had made regulations by which 
other counties might be formed. In accordance 

. . New counties 

with these provisions Harmon County was formed 
from a part of Greer County. Swanson County was formed 
of parts of Kiowa and Comanche counties, but the courts 
decided that it was illegally formed and it was dissolved. 
During 191 2 a new county was formed of the southern part 
of Comanche County and was named Cotton County. Rand- 
lett was made county seat. 

The constitution provides that the governor can not suc- 
ceed himself. Governor Haskell could not be a candidate 
for reelection in 19 10. At the primary election held in 
August of that year, the Democratic Party nominated Lee 
Cruce for governor, and the Republican Party named J. W. 
McNeal. The Democrats were successful at the general 
election in November and elected Lee Cruce. 

At the time of his election Governor Cruce was engaged 
in the banking business at Ardmore. His term began the sec- 
ond Monday of January, 1 9 1 1 , and will end in 1 9 1 5 . Governor 
During his term a number of important laws have Cruce 
been made. The management of the state banks and the 
Guaranty Bank Fund have been given to a board con- 
sisting of the governor and two men experienced in 
banking. 

In 191 1 a law was enacted creating the State Board of Edu- 
cation. This board consists of seven members, the state 
superintendent being president of the board, with state board 
six members appointed by the governor. The o f education 
board has control of all the state educational institutions except 
the agricultural schools. This was a move to secure harmony 
among\he state schools, as well asjinity in the state school 



104 Oklahoma History 

system. The State Board of Education is also the state text- 
book board. 

The office of county assessor was created. This office 
takes the place of township assessors. Laws were also made 

favoring the consolidation of district schools. 

A tax congress was held in Oklahoma City in 
June, 191 2 to inquire into the cause of high taxes and to de- 
vise some way to remedy the matter. At that convention 
Governor Cruce advocated cutting down the number of state 
and county officers. The congress adopted a resolution 
favoring a commission form of government for counties. 
Their plan is for the people of each county to elect four men, 
a county judge and three commissioners, and that these four 
men should appoint what county officers are needed and 
should have entire charge of the affairs of the county. 

It will be seen by observing the new features already in the 
constitution of Oklahoma, and the tendency to adopt others, 
that we are in a very important period in the development of 
government. Oklahoma is making history rapidly. 

Questions. When did Oklahoma become a state? Who was the 
first governor of the state ? The present governor ? What party elected 
each? What is the length of the governor's term? When does the 
governor's term begin ? Name a law that has been initiated. An amend- 
ment that has been initiated. What is the Guaranty Bank Law? 
What is the Grandfather Clause ? How is the Board of Education con- 
stituted ? 

Written Work. Write on the advantages and disadvantages of a 
consolidated district. Write an explanation of the commission form of 
government. Write an account of the moving of the capital. 



Industries of the State 105 

LESSON 38 
INDUSTRIES OF THE STATE 

Oklahoma is well located. It is almost in the center of the 
United States. It has easy access to the Gulf of Mexico 
with its ports, and it has good railway connections with the 
southern ports of California as well as with the Great Lakes 
and the Mississippi by way of Chicago and St. Louis. 

Oklahoma is a good-sized state. Its seventy thousand 
square miles extend from the foot of the Ozarks across undulat- 
ing plains almost to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. 
In elevation it is from a few hundred feet in the east to about 
five thousand feet in the extreme west. Its surface is rough 
in places, even to mountainous, rolling in some sections, and 
almost a perfect plain in others. There is a great variety 
of soil in the state, most of it is very fertile. The climate is 
mild temperate, and the rainfall is sufficient for crops in most 
sections of the state, except during occasional seasons. 

Agriculture is the leading industry. The most important 
crops are cotton, corn, wheat, and oats. Other products of 
the farm, which add materially to the wealth 

Agriculture 

of the state, are alfalfa, kaffir corn, broom corn, 
potatoes, cowpeas, and fruit. The farms and the pasture 
lands produce great numbers of hogs, cattle, horses, mules, 
and some sheep. 

Oklahoma is fortunate in the variety and abundance of its 
mineral deposits. While mining in the state is in its infancy, 
yet vast sums are being realized from that source annually. 
It is well supplied with petroleum, natural gas, coal, asphalt, 
granite, limestone, sandstone, gypsum, salt, sand, and gravel. 
In the northeastern part of the state considerable zinc and 



106 Oklahoma History 

lead are produced, and good qualities of clay for brick and tile 
are found in many parts of the state. 

Manufacturing is rapidly becoming one of the principal 

industries of the state. The abundance of fuel makes it 

desirable to establish factories near the source of 

Manufactures 

supply of the materials to be used in manufacturing. 
Cotton gins, flour mills, and cotton-seed oil mills are numerous. 
There are also in operation a number of cement plants, meat 
packing plants, saw mills, planing mills, machine shops, 
foundries, and mills for cutting and polishing granite. Salt, 
brick, tile, paint, and asphaltum paving-blocks are being 
manufactured. 

Lumbering in the eastern part of the state and dairying in 
many parts of the state are important. Many people are 
engaged in commerce and in transporting the products of the 
state to market, and in supplying the state with needed ar- 
ticles that it does not produce. 

Oklahoma does not depend upon one industry, nor mainly 
upon one crop. The variety of its products and the number of 
its industries make it a well-balanced state where business 
interests are not so likely to fluctuate as in a community that 
depends largely upon one industry. 



Questions. What is the area of Oklahoma? What are its dimen- 
sions ? What can you say of its surface ? Of its soil ? Of its rainfall ? 
Name the industries of the state. Name the farm products and the 
part of the state in which each is produced. WTiat kinds of live stock 
are raised in the state? Name the minerals found in Oklahoma. Tell 
where each is found. What kinds of factories ? Locate several of each 
kind. In what part of the state are men engaged in lumbering ? What 
products are shipped out of the state? Where do they go? What are 
shipped into the state? From where? Why is a variety of industries 
important ? 



Development of the State 107 

Written Work. Make a list of the products of cotton seed? Make 
a list of the prices of the products of the state. Write a paper on the 
uses of cement. 



LESSON 39 
DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE 

The development of Oklahoma has been wonderful. People 
who have seen its growth from the beginning are struck 
with wonder and admiration at the rapidity of its progress. 

In the history of Greece, during its mythical period, we are 
told of a certain hero by the name of Cadmus who, having 
slain a dragon that guarded a spring, took the dragon's teeth 
and sowed them. These sprang up armed men, and with 
these men he overcame the enemies in the land and established 
the city of Thebes. 

The heroes who have made Oklahoma came into this untried 
region, and broke the virgin soil in search of agricultural 
riches, and delved deep into its surface for its 

Real heroes 

mineral treasures, and from their efforts have 

sprung up, as if by magic, cities and schools and homes. 

But a quarter of a century ago almost all of the land was as 
if it had been untouched by the hand of man. Cattle roamed 
over a large part of it, with a ranch house here and there. 
In the eastern part and about the agencies, a few farms had 
been opened up by the Indians or by the government for the 
Indians, but the country in the main was in its original state. 

The story of its settlement has been told. With its settle- 
ment came development and progress. Now the state is 
crossed in all directions by railroads. Almost ^ ., 

J Railroads 

every section is reached by a road and many lo- 
calities have the best of railroad facilities. The total mile- 
age aggregates about seven thousand miles. The Missouri, 



io8 



Oklahoma History 



Kansas and Texas ; the St. Louis and San Francisco ; the 
Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe ; the Chicago, Rock Island 
and Pacific ; and the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient are the 
leading lines. Oil pipe-lines carry petroleum to the refineries, 
and natural gas is piped to many of the leading cities. 

Many cities and towns have been built, and most of them 
have part or all of the modern conveniences. According 







Cities 



Oklahoma City High School 

to the 1 910 census there were eight cities with more than 
ten thousand inhabitants, — Oklahoma City, Mus- 
kogee, Tulsa, Enid, McAlester, Shawnee, Guthrie, 
and Chickasha. The population of the state was 1,657,155. 

In the state there are about 12,000,000 acres of land in 
cultivation, about twice that amount under control, and as 
much more farm land undeveloped in any way. 

In the southeastern part of the state there are large sections 
of segregated coal lands, or lands underlaid with coal, which 
are still tribal property. The surface of much of this land 
is well suited to agriculture. In a short time the surface of 
these lands will be sold and opened up to the farmer. 



Development of the State 109 

The people are, as a class, thrifty and ambitious to advance. 
As soon as they are able they build substantial houses and 
make other permanent improvements. They are now much 
interested in the building of good roads. 

While Oklahoma is advancing rapidly in a material way, 
this is not the only progress it is making. It is also advancing 
intellectually and morally. The most modern school buildings 
are being erected in all the cities and in many rural districts. 
The state has established and equipped many splendid in- 
stitutions of learning. Particular efforts are being made to 
raise the standard of farming and to improve rural conditions 
so that farm life will be more attractive. 

The various religious bodies are well represented in the state. 
Every city and town and most rural communities are well 
supplied with churches. 

The state at its beginning voted prohibition for twenty-one 
years, and since then has voted down the propo- 
sition to resubmit the prohibition amendment to and moral 

,1 .». ,' advancement 

the constitution. 

The history of Oklahoma has a unique and marvelous 
beginning. It should be full of interest to every person in 
Oklahoma. Let it be remembered that its history has just be- 
gun. What its future will be depends upon the boys and girls 
of to-day. The state expects every Oklahoman to do his duty. 

Questions. Tell the story of Cadmus. Who are the real heroes of 
Oklahoma ? How old is Oklahoma ? Name and trace the leading rail- 
road lines. Locate the oil pipe-lines. What cities are supplied with 
natural gas ? Where is gas found ? Name and locate eight of the largest 
cities in the state. What is the population of the state? How much 
of the land is under cultivation? How much of it is not cultivated? 
What is segregated coal land? What is to be done with the surface of 
it? What is meant by intellectual advancement? By moral advance- 
ment? What is prohibition? 



iio Oklahoma History 

Written Work. Make a list of the religious bodies represented in 
this state with the membership of each. Write a paper on how farm life 
may be made attractive? Write a paper on the value of good roads. 



LESSON 40 
EDUCATION 



Missionaries had started educational work among the 
Mission Indians before the Five Tribes moved west. The 

schools mission schools, and the printing presses operated 

in connection with some of them, contributed much 
toward the advancement of the civilized tribes. A number 
of schools were successfully conducted by different religious 
bodies. Among them were Parkhill Seminary in the Cherokee 
Nation, Armstrong Academy in the Choctaw Nation, 
Wapanucka Academy in the Chickasaw Nation, Tallahasse 
Mission in the Creek Nation, and Sacred Heart in the Potta- 
watomie country. Near the Union agency at Muskogee 
were Bacone College, Harry Kendall College, and Harrell In- 
stitute. 

When the Five Tribes moved west they left funds on de- 
posit with the government, on which they drew interest. 
Tribal Part of this interest was used for the support of 

schools tribal schools. The Creeks and Seminoles had 

no tribal schools until after the Civil War. However, for 
many years before statehood, the Five Tribes maintained 
schools for Indian children. The Cherokees had two acad- 
emies at Tahlequah, one for males and the other for females. 
The Choctaws appropriated money for the support of acad- 
emies. The Indians also often sent some of their children 
to schools among the whites. 



Education i i i 

The Federal Government established a number of schools 
for the Indians, — one at Chilocco, one near the Darlington 
agency, one at Lawton, and another near Anadarko. 

By the Curtis Act, government schools were organized 
in the rural districts of the civilized tribes for the benefit 
of the white children, but Indian children could Government 
attend also. These schools were under the schools 
supervision of John D. Benedict for about ten years beginning 




U. S. Indian School, Chilocco, Oklahoma 

in 1898. The Curtis Act also provided for the organization 
of schools in the cities of Indian Territory. 

A great educational factor among the Cherokees was their 
newspaper which was published by the nation and furnished 
free to the members of the tribe. It was printed both in 
Cherokee and in English. It was started by Elias Boudinot 
in 1827 before the Cherokees came west, and was Cherokee 
called the Phoenix. It was discontinued in 1832, Advocate 
and started again in 1844, under the name of the Cherokee 
Advocate. The Civil War caused it to cease publication, 
but in 1870 it was reestablished, and continued until 
1906. 



I I 2 



Oklahoma History 



* 








'"■V^nK 




^Jk 




trrJf 




. -U1V9 













Sequoyah, Inventor of 
Cherokee Alphabet 



Sequoyah's name should be mentioned in this connection. 
By the invention of the Cherokee alphabet he opened the way 
for the education of his people. The Cherokee language con- 
tains eighty-five sounds. Sequoyah (George Guess) invented 

a character for each sound. He made 
the invention about 182 1. 

As soon as Oklahoma was settled, 
schools were started. When Oklahoma 
Territory was organized, a territorial 
superintendent was appointed by the 
governor (Governor Steele),, also a 
county superintendent for each county, 
and an educational system was soon 
outlined. The first territorial legisla- 
ture provided for a university, an agri- 
cultural college, and a normal school. 
Before statehood there had been established in addition to 
these, two other normal schools, a preparatory school, and a 
school for colored people. 

Since statehood the number of state schools has been greatly 
increased. There have been added three normal schools, 
a preparatory school, a school of mines, a college 
for girls, a school for the deaf, one for the blind, 
a boys' training school, a school for feeble minded, a school 
for orphans, and six secondary agricultural schools (one of 
the last named has just been closed). 

At the session of the state legislature in 191 1, a law was 
passed providing for a State Board of Education, giving it 
additional powers. This law has done much to unify the 
school system of the state by giving the Board control over 
all the state schools, except the agricultural schools, and 
giving it the power to select the textbooks for the state. 



State schools 



Education t i 3 

The Board of Agriculture has control of the agricultural 
schools. 

The common schoolsa re free, the cities provide free high 
schools, and two counties, 1 Logan and Creek, have county 
high schools. The law provides for compulsory education, 
for uniform textbooks, for the consolidation of district schools, 
and it forbids child labor that will prevent children from 
attending school. 

Oklahoma received from the United States large grants 
of land, also $5,000,000 for the support of the common schools 
and the higher institutions of learning. The income from the 
school lands and state school fund is supplemented by taxa- 
tion. 

The state is also well supplied with educational institutions 
supported by religious bodies. Some of these are Kingfisher 
College, at Kingfisher ; the Wesleyan College, at Britton ; 
the Phillips Christian University, at Enid ; Oklahoma Metho- 
dist University, at Guthrie ; Harry Kendall College, at Tulsa ; 
Bacone University, at Muskogee, and the Baptist College, at 
Blackwell. 

Questions. What are mission schools? Name and locate as many 
as you can that were established in Indian Territory. What were tribal 
schools? How were they supported? Name and locate the govern- 
ment schools in Oklahoma. How did the Curtis Act benefit education? 
What was the Phoenix? Who founded it? What was the Cherokee Advo- 
cate? How long published? Who was Sequoyah? Name and locate 
the state normal schools. The agricultural schools. The other state 
educational institutions. What financial aid did the United States give 
toward education in Oklahoma ? 

Written Work. Write on the value of having uniformity of text- 
books. The benefits of compulsory education. 

1 The people of Logan county recently voted to do away with their county 
high school. 




Flag of Oklahoma 

Designed by Mrs. W. R. Clement of Oklahoma City. Adopted by the State Legislature 
February 25, 1911. Approved by the Governor March 2, 1911. 



OKLAHOMA CIVICS 



LESSON 1 
INTRODUCTION 

Government. — Government is an organization of the 
people into a political body for protection, to secure justice 
among themselves, and to aid in their material advancement. 
It is necessary that people be protected from lawless persons 
in the state and from enemies of their country. People differ 
among themselves as to what is right, so it is necessary to 
have some authority to decide what is right. Without govern- 
ment we could not have schools, good roads, and large bridges. 

Natural and Civil Rights. — A person living entirely alone 
would have a right to do as he pleased, so far as other people 
are concerned. When a person lives in a community he 
must refrain from doing some things that would interfere with 
other people. In return he would receive some rights that 
he did not have before, such as protection, school privileges, 
and the use of good roads and bridges. Government is a 
good thing, a blessing. 

Kinds of Government. — In the world to-day there are 
two important kinds of government, monarchies and repub- 
lics. A monarchy is a government that has at its head one 
ruler who inherits his position. The power of the monarchs 
of to-day is limited in some way ; that is, they do not have 
entire control of affairs. A republic, or representative 

117 



1 1 8 Oklahoma Civics 

democracy, is a government where the people elect represen- 
tatives to make laws for them and choose other persons to 
enforce the laws. The tendency at the present time is for 
republics to become more democratic. In other words, the 
people are taking more of the government into their own 
hands. 

Principles of Government. — The colonies that established 
the United States were, previous to that time, a part of Eng- 
land. As a result of this we borrowed a good many ideas of 
government from England. The Magna Charta and the 
Bill of Rights form the basis of the English Constitution. 
The Constitution of the United States is the fundamental or 
foundation law of our whole land, and the Declaration of 
Independence is an expression of the rights which we claim 
to be ours. 

Units of Government. — We live under a two-fold or double 
government. We live under the government of the United 
States, and under the government of Oklahoma. Then the 
state is divided into counties, so we live under county govern- 
ment. If we live in a city or organized town, we live under 
city or town government. If we live in the country, we live 
under township government, for all of the country outside of 
organized cities and towns is organized into municipal town- 
ships. The country is also organized into school districts. 
It will be seen that we have a number of units of government ; 
the Federal, the State, the County, the City, the Town, the 
Township, and the School District. At first this may seem 
complex, but each unit has its own work to perform. 

Our Government. — Our country is a representative democ- 
racy and we form a part of it. The government of our state 
and its subdivisions are near to us and affect us in our everyday 
life. For these reasons we should beJthoroughly n acquainted 



The School District 1 1 9 

with our government, that we may be active members of the 
political body or state in which we live. 

Questions. What is government? Why do we need government? 
What are natural rights? Civil rights? Give examples of each. 
What are the principal kinds of government in the world to-day? Ex- 
plain each kind. What documents form the bulwark of English liberty? 
Why are they important to us? Why do we prize the Declaration of 
Independence? The Constitution of the United States? What is a 
unit of government? Name the units of government in which we are 
interested. Why should we study^Civil Government? 



LESSON 2 
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Organization. — The school district is formed by the county 
superintendent and is said to be organized when its officers 
have been elected and have qualified. No district shall be 
organized which contains less than eight persons of school 
age. 

District Affairs. — A director, clerk, and treasurer consti- 
tute the school board. At the annual meeting in 1908 the 
director was elected for three years, the clerk for two years, 
and the treasurer for one year. Their successors are elected 
for three years. 

Annual Meeting. — The annual school meeting is held the 
first Tuesday in June, at two o'clock in the afternoon. At this 
meeting the voters elect the district officer whose term ex- 
pires, levy a tax not to exceed five mills on the dollar for the 
support of the school, and may determine the length of the 
ensuing term of school, which shall not be less than three 
months. Other matters pertaining to the school may be 
discussed and decided. 



120 Oklahoma Civics 

Voters. — All persons, male or female, twenty-one years 
of age, who are citizens of the United States, and who have 
resided in the state one year, in the county six months, and 
in the school district thirty days just preceding the school 
meeting, are entitled to vote at the meeting. 

School Money. — Money for the support of the district 
school comes from three funds. A tax is levied on the prop- 
erty in the district by the voters, a county tax not to exceed 
one mill on the dollar may be levied by the county, and the 
revenue from the state school fund is divided among the dis- 
tricts according to the number of children in the district who 
are of school age, which is between six and twenty-one. 
The tax levied at the annual school meeting may be 
increased by an amount not to exceed ten mills on the 
dollar, provided a majority of the voters vote in favor of 
such increase. 

Consolidated Districts. — Two or more school districts 
may be consolidated or may join so as to form one large 
district, provided a majority of the voters in each district 
vote in favor of the proposition. 

Separate Schools. — In districts where there are both white 
and colored children, separate schools must be maintained 
for those who are fewer in number. When the pupils for 
the separate school do not exceed ten in number, they may 
be transferred to the nearest school of their own color in an 
adjoining district. Where there is a separate school there is 
a separate school board. 

Compulsory Attendance. — Children between the ages of 
eight and sixteen years may be compelled to attend school at 
least three months in the year. Any school district may vote 
to increase the length of time which children must attend to 
six months. 



Municipal Township 121 

Questions. Who forms the boundary lines of a school district? 
When is a district organized ? ' Who are the members of a district board ? 
How are they elected? How long do they serve? When is the annual 
school meeting ? What is done at the meeting? Where does the money 
for the support of schools come from ? What rate of tax can be levied ? 
How may it be increased? How may a consolidated district be formed? 
What are the advantages of a large district ? What are separate schools ? 
What length of time may a child be compelled to go to school ? Between 
what ages? 



LESSON 3 
MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIP 

Organization. — In Oklahoma, under territorial govern- 
ment, the county commissioners in each county were author- 
ized to divide their county into municipal townships. The 
Constitutional Convention divided the new counties into 
townships. When the officers are chosen, and qualify or take 
the oath of office, the township is organized. 

Officers. — The officers of a township are : trustee, clerk, 
treasurer, and one road overseer in each road district. These 
officers are elected at the general election, the first Tuesday 
after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. 
They serve two years. When a vacancy occurs in a township 
office the county commissioners appoint some one to fill the 
place until the next election. 

Township Board. — ■ The trustee, clerk, and treasurer con- 
stitute the township board, or legislative body of the township. 
This board examines and passes upon all accounts against 
the township, levies taxes for township and road purposes, 
divides the township into road districts, and appoints a road 
supervisor in each road district. 

Duties of Officers. — The trustee is the chief executive of 



122 Oklahoma Civics 

the township, has oversight of the road overseers, and may 
direct the work on roads. The clerk keeps the accounts of 
the township. The treasurer has charge of the township 
funds. The road overseers notify citizens when and where 
to work on the roads, and have charge of the work. 

Municipal Township. — A municipal township serves as a 
unit for election purposes. A township forms an election 
precinct unless there are too many voters in the township 
to vote conveniently at one place, in which case the county 
commissioners may divide the township into voting precincts. 

Congressional Township. — The municipal township, or 
township as it is usually called, should not be confused with 
the congressional township. The municipal township is for 
purposes of government, having the officers mentioned above. 
The congressional township is a tract of land six miles square, 
and is used for the purpose of locating or describing land. A 
municipal township's boundary lines often follow the boundary 
lines of congressional townships and in some parts of the 
state a municipal township exactly coincides with the con- 
gressional township. The purpose of each, however, is dif- 
ferent. The municipal township is usually larger than the 
congressional township unless the country is thickly settled. 

Questions. How were municipal townships organized under terri- 
torial government in Oklahoma? How formed in the new counties at 
statehood? When is a township organized? Name the officers of a 
township. When and how elected? Who constitute the township 
board ? What are the duties of the board ? What are the duties of the 
officers of the township? In what way do townships aid in holding 
elections? What is a congressional township? What is the difference 
between a municipal and a congressional township? Which is usually 
the larger? State whether their boundary lines ever coincide. 

Written Work. Draw a map of your county showing congressional 
and municipal townships, naming the latter. 



Incorporated Towns 123 

LESSON 4 
INCORPORATED TOWNS 

Corporations. -- A corporation is a body of individuals 
authorized by law to act or do business as one person. There 
are public corporations and private corporations. A school 
district is a public corporation, so is a municipal township. 
A thickly settled community not incorporated may be called 
a town, but to be incorporated the community must be em- 
powered by law to act as one individual. 

Method of Incorporation. — A petition signed by not less 
than one- third of the qualified voters of the town is made 
to the county commissioners. The commissioners fix a time 
for an election to be held to determine whether the people 
want to incorporate. If a majority of the voters favor incor- 
poration, the commissioners declare the town incorporated. 
No fixed number of people is required, but there should be 
a sufficient number to support such government. 

Necessity for Incorporation. — When any part of a township 
becomes very thickly settled, the people living in such terri- 
tory will need public conveniences and advantages which 
the township government or the county government cannot 
furnish. Therefore, it becomes necessary that this territory 
should be separated from that adjoining it and be given a 
form of government that will better meet its needs. 

Town Government. — The town is divided into not less 
than three, nor more than seven districts, often called wards. 
Each district elects one trustee, often called councilman. 
The board of trustees elects one of its number as president of 
the board. The board of trustees constitutes the legislative or 
lawmaking department. The town also elects a clerk, treas- 
urer, marshal, and justice of the peace. The president of 



i 24 Oklahoma Civics 

the board of trustees, clerk, treasurer, and marshal constitute 
the executive department. The justice is the judicial officer. 
Some towns provide for other officers such as street commis- 
sioner, fire marshal, engineer, physician, and police judge. 

Powers of Towns. — An incorporated town has power to 
have a seal, to own property, to lay out and improve streets, 
to provide for fire protection, to assess annual taxes for the 
support of the town's government, to provide for waterworks, 
to prohibit stock from running at large, and to establish by- 
laws, ordinances, and regulations not in conflict with the laws 
of the state. 

Town Schools. — • Schools in incorporated towns are or- 
ganized and controlled under the same laws that the rural 
schools are under. 

Unincorporated Towns. — A community may become more 
thickly settled than the surrounding country and may con- 
tain two or three hundred people and yet not be incorporated. 
It may contain stores and shops, and some sidewalks and 
street crossings. However, all improvements of a public 
nature will have to be done voluntarily. No one can be 
forced to pay taxes, to build sidewalks, or to provide for 
other public improvements. 

Questions. What is a corporation? A public corporation? Give 
examples. How may a town be incorporated ? How many people must 
it contain? What is the need of incorporating a town? What officers 
has an incorporated town? What officers constitute the legislative 
department? Which are executive officers? Name the powers of an 
incorporated town. How are the schools in such a town organized and 
controlled? Name the advantages of an unincorporated town. 



Cities 125 

LESSON 5 
CITIES 

Kinds of City Government. - - We hear the expressions : 
cities of the first class, cities with charter government, and 
cities with commission form of government. In Oklahoma 
there is but one class of cities, and that is the first class. Any 
city with a population of two thousand may become a city of 
the first class by complying with certain provisions of the 
law. Thickly settled communities with a population less 
than two thousand, that are incorporated, are called incor- 
porated towns. Any city of the first class may adopt a spe- ■ 
cial charter for its own government, but it is still a city of the 
first class. Any city when it adopts a charter may so form 
that charter as to have a commission form of government. 
Such a city has a commission form of government which is a 
form of charter government, and it also is a city of the first 
class. 

Statutory First Class Cities. — Any city with a population 
of two thousand may petition the governor to be incorporated 
as a city of the first class. The governor then calls an elec- 
tion to determine whether the people want to incorporate. 
If a majority of the voters are in favor of incorporating, the 
governor proclaims it a city of the first class. 

Officers. — The city is divided into not less than four 
wards. Each ward elects two councilmen, who form the leg- 
islative department. The city also elects a mayor, clerk, 
treasurer, attorney, marshal, and street commissioner, who 
are the executive officers. A police judge is also elected. He 
is the judicial officer of the city. Other officers may be pro- 
vided for by city ordinance. Each ward elects two members 
of the school board and the city elects a treasurer of the school 



i 26 Oklahoma Civics 

board. These officers are officers of the city school district. 
One member of the council and one member of the school board 
are elected every year for a term of two years. Thus one-half 
of the council and one-half of the school board are elected at 
one time. The city election is the first Tuesday in April. 
The officers are elected for two years in odd-numbered years. 

Duties of Officers. — The council makes certain laws, 
called ordinances, for the city. The mayor presides over the 
council and sees that the laws of the city are enforced. The 
clerk keeps a record of the proceedings of the council and has 
charge of the documents of the city. The treasurer has 
control of the funds of the city and keeps a record of the 
money received and paid out. The attorney is the legal ad- 
visor of the city officers, has charge of the law suits of the city, 
and prosecutes those who break the city laws. The marshal 
preserves order and makes arrests. The street commissioner 
has charge of the streets and sidewalks. The police judge 
tries persons who have violated the city ordinances. 

Cities with Charter Government. — Any city of the first 
class may form a charter government. Two freeholders 
(men who own real property) are elected from each ward. 
These freeholders draw up a charter or form of government 
for the city. The charter is submitted to voters for their 
approval. If a majority vote in favor of the charter, it is 
then sent to the governor for his approval. If he finds that 
the charter is in accord with the constitution and laws of the 
state, he approves it, and it becomes the constitution or char- 
ter of the city. 

Cities with Commission Government. — A city may so 
form its charter as to have a commission form of govern- 
ment, which means a government by a body of commissioners 
instead of a mayor and council and other elective officers. 






The County 127 

The voters elect commissioners, usually five in number, who 
appoint other necessary officers. 

City Schools. — Schools in cities of the first class are not 
under the control of the county superintendent, but are 
governed by a board of education and a superintendent elected 
by the board. The board consists of two members from each 
ward, and two from territory outside of the city, but within 
the city school district, provided this outside territory is suf- 
ficiently large and populous. 

Questions. How may a city of the first class be formed ? Name the 
officers of such a city. State the duties of each. Who makes the city 
laws ? What are they called ? How many people in a city of the first 
class? How may a city form a charter? Explain the commission form 
of city government. What are its advantages? Why are some cities 
changing to the commission form of government? Name some of 
them. What is a freeholder? 



LESSON 6 
THE COUNTY 



The County. — In Oklahoma the county is the most im- 
portant unit of local government. The township looks after 
the roads and small bridges, but the county keeps a record of 
the real estate, assesses and collects taxes, builds the larger 
bridges, cares for the poor, has charge of the schools, and looks 
after many other matters of government. 

How Counties are Formed. — Oklahoma Territory was 
organized into counties, but Indian Territory was not. When 
the two were united into a state, the constitutional conven- 
tion formed the counties and selected the county seats. Most 
of the counties that had been organized were left as they 
were, but some new counties were formed, and one county 



i 28 Oklahoma Civics 

(Day) was eliminated. Seventy-five counties were estab- 
lished. 

New Counties. — The constitution provides a way for 
forming new counties. A petition is made to the governor, 
who calls an election in the proposed new county to determine 
whether the people want to form a new county. If sixty 
per cent of the voters favor the proposition, the governor 
proclaims the county to be formed. No new county can be 
formed of less than four hundred square miles of taxable land, 
nor with a population of less than fifteen thousand, nor with 
a taxable wealth less than S 2,500,000. The county or counties 
from which the new county is formed must still contain as 
much land and wealth and as many people as required in 
the new county. Three new counties, Harmon, Swanson, 
and Cotton, have been created. One of them, Swanson, has 
been dissolved. 

County Officers. — - County officers are elected at the gen- 
eral election in even-numbered years, for a term of two years. 
The commissioners form the legislative department. The 
executive officers are : sheriff, attorney, clerk, treasurer, 
clerk of the district court, register of deeds, superintendent 
of schools, assessor, surveyor, and weigher. The judicial 
officers are : county judge and six justices of the peace. The 
number of justices may be increased by the commissioners 
if the population warrants it. Some counties are allowed a 
superior court. 

Duties of Officers. — The commissioners have charge of 
the property of the county, examine all accounts filed against 
the county, build bridges, care for the poor, and attend to 
the affairs of the county in general. The sheriff makes 
arrests, preserves the peace, and carries out orders of the 
court. The attorney prosecutes violators of the state law 



The County i 29 

and is legal advisor of the other county officers. The clerk 
keeps a record of the proceedings of the commissioners and 
makes out the tax roll. The treasurer collects taxes, pays 
out money on the order of the commissioners, distributes their 
portion of the taxes to the treasurers of the school districts, 
townships, towns, and cities, and keeps a record of the same. 
The clerk of the district court keeps a record of the cases 
filed and tried in that court. The register of deeds keeps a 
record of the deeds and mortgages given. The assessor 
makes a list of the property to be taxed and fixes the value of 
it. The superintendent has oversight of the schools in the 
county that are outside of cities of the first class. The sur- 
veyor makes the surveys for roads, bridges and county build- 
ings. 

County Judiciary. — ■ The county judge has a right to try 
civil cases where the amount in controversy is not more than 
one thousand dollars, has criminal jurisdiction the same as 
a justice of the peace, and has probate jurisdiction over the 
property of deceased persons. There are six justices of the 
peace in each county, but the commissioners may increase 
the number if the population of the county is large. Justices 
have the right to try civil cases where the amount involved 
does not exceed two hundred dollars, and criminal cases where 
the fine does not exceed two hundred dollars, or the punish- 
ment not more than thirty days in jail. They may also hold 
preliminary hearings in more serious offenses and have the 
parties held for trial in higher courts. Justices may hold 
inquests. Some counties have a superior court which has 
concurrent jurisdiction with the district and county court, 
except that it has no probate jurisdiction. 

Questions. State whether there were counties in Oklahoma and 
Indian Territory before statehood. How many counties were formed 



i 30 Oklahoma Civics 

when Oklahoma became a state ? By whom ? How many new counties 
have been formed since statehood ? Name and locate a new one. What 
officers constitute the legislature of the county ? What duties have they ? 
Name the executive officers of a county. State some of their duties. 
What judicial officers has a county ? What jurisdiction has each court ? 
What is meant by jurisdiction ? What is an inquest ? 

Written Work. Make a list of the names of the county officers in 
your county, giving the salary of each. 



LESSON 7 
GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE 

Admission into the Union. — Congress has the power to 
admit states into the Union. The usual method is for Con- 
gress to pass an Act authorizing the territory to prepare and 
adopt a state constitution and at the same time elect state 
officers. Then Congress may approve the action of the ter- 
ritory and declare it a state, or the President may review 
the action of the territory and proclaim it a state. 

How Oklahoma was Admitted. — - Congress passed an 
Enabling Act which was approved by the President, June 16, 
1906. The two territories were divided into districts for the 
election of delegates to a constitutional convention. The 
delegates were elected November 6, 1906. The convention 
assembled November 20, 1906, and prepared a constitution. 
The constitution was submitted to the people for their 
approval September 17, 1907, and at the same time state 
officers were elected. The President proclaimed Oklahoma 
a state November 16, 1907. 

Provisions of the Enabling Act. — The Enabling Act was 
an act or law passed by Congress, enabling the territories to 
form state governments. Some of its provisions were as fol- 



Government of the State i 3 1 

lows : the constitutional convention was to consist of one 
hundred and twelve delegates, one hundred thousand dollars 
was given to pay the expenses of forming the state govern- 
ment, one million and fifty thousand acres of land were given 
to the state besides what had already been given Oklahoma 
Territory, five million dollars was given to the state's per- 
manent school fund, the state was to have two senators and 
five members of the lower house of Congress until the next 
census, there was to be prohibition of the sale of liquor for 
twenty-one years in the Indian Territory part of the state, 
plural marriage was forever prohibited, religious toleration 
was not to be infringed upon, and the right of suffrage was 
not to be abridged on account of race, color, or previous con- 
dition of servitude. 

Constitutional Convention. — The convention was in ses- 
sion from November 20, 1906, until July 16, 1907, except for 
a recess taken to give the committees time to arrange the 
constitution and another to await the decision of an injunc- 
tion suit against the convention. William H. Murray was 
president of the convention, and John M. Young secretary. 
A number of delegates to this convention now hold, or have 
held, high positions under the state government. 

Questions. What is the usual method of admitting states ? Who has 
power to admit states? Give the steps by which Oklahoma was ad- 
mitted. How much money did Congress give for the expense of forming 
the state government ? How much money was given to the school fund ? 
How many acres of land were given to Oklahoma by the Enabling Act ? 
Had any land been given Oklahoma before? Tell something about 
what lands had been given. What was the new state forbidden to 
do? How many Congressmen were allowed the state? 



132 Oklahoma Civics 



LESSON 8 

BILL OF RIGHTS 

Bill of Rights. —A bill of rights in a constitution is a list 
of rights or privileges belonging to the people, which cannot 
be infringed upon or taken away from them by the government 
or the officers of the state. The name has come down to us 
from the Bill of Rights enacted by the English Parliament 
in 1689. The Constitution of the United States when first 
made contained no Bill of Rights, but many of the people were 
dissatisfied with it on that account, and the Constitution was 
amended as soon as this could be done. The first ten amend- 
ments to the Constitution of the United States form a Bill of 
Rights. 

The Oklahoma Bill of Rights. — This bill is much longer than 
those of other constitutions and for that reason is much more 
complete. Besides enumerating the rights usually found in 
other state constitutions, it contains a number of new features. 
The Bill of Rights is Article II of the constitution and con- 
tains thirty-three sections. 

Trial Jury. — Juries in county and justice courts shall 
consist of six men ; juries in higher courts, twelve men. In 
civil cases, and in criminal cases less than felonies, three- 
fourths of the whole number of jurors concurring have the 
power to render a verdict. In all other cases all the jurors 
must agree in order to render a verdict. 

Habeas Corpus. - - The authorities of Oklahoma can not 
suspend the writ of habeas corpus under any circumstances. 
The authorities of the United States can suspend the writ 
in case of rebellion or when the public safety demands it. 
A writ of habeas corpus demands that a person held in cus- 



Bill of Rights 133 

tody be brought into court for the authorities to show why 
he is being held. 

Contempt of Court. — When a person is accused of commit- 
ting an act of contempt of court when not in the presence of 
the court, he shall be given a trial by jury, before being fined 
or punished. The three rights mentioned are new rules on 
these subjects. 

Usual Rights. — The Bill of Rights also states that all polit- 
ical power belongs to the people ; all persons have the right 
to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of 
the gains of their industry ; have the right peaceably to as- 
semble for their own good and be secure in their persons, 
houses, and papers against unreasonable searches or seizures. 
State officers must give their personal attention to the duties 
of their offices. Courts of justice shall be open to every per- 
son. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law. 

The right of trial by jury shall not be violated. Private 
property shall not be taken for public use without due com- 
pensation. Many other rights are enumerated in the state 
constitution. 

Questions. What is a bill of rights? What can you say about the 
Oklahoma Bill of Rights. Compare the state and the federal constitu- 
tions, on the writ of habeas corpus. What is a felony? How many 
jurors in a justice court ? In a county court ? In a higher court ? What 
is a verdict? How many jurors must concur to render a verdict? 
What is contempt of court? What other rights mentioned? Where 
would you look for the United States Bill of Rights ? 



i 34 Oklahoma Civics 



LESSON 9 
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT 

Division of Powers. — The powers of the state government 
are divided among three departments : legislative, executive, 
and judicial. The intent is to have each of these branches 
of government as separate and distinct from the others as 
practicable. 

Legislative Authority. — The lawmaking authority of the 
state is vested in a legislature consisting of a Senate and a 
House of Representatives, but the people reserve to themselves 
the right to make laws and amendments to the constitution 
and to reject laws passed by the legislature. 

The Senate. — The constitution provides for forty- four 
senators to be elected by the voters of the districts, but there 
may be additional senators. The term is four years. One 
half of the senators are elected every two years at the general 
election. Senators must be twenty-five years of age, and must 
be qualified to vote in their districts and must continue to 
live in their districts. The lieutenant governor is president 
of the Senate, but has no vote except in case of a tie. The 
Senate elects one of its members president pro tempore to 
preside when the lieutenant governor is absent. 

House of Representatives. — The number of representa- 
tives is not made definite, but will always be more than one 
hundred. The term is two years, and the representatives are 
elected on even-numbered years. Representatives must be 
twenty-one years of age, voters of their districts, and must 
continue to live in their districts. The House elects a speaker 
from its own numbers to preside over that body. 

Powers of Each House. — Each House is judge of the elec- 






Legislative Department 135 

tion of its members, makes its own rules, and provides neces- 
sary clerks, sergeants at arms, and other assistants. 

Salary. — Members of the legislature receive six dollars 
per day during the sessions of the legislature, provided the 
sessions are not longer than sixty days. They receive only 
two dollars a day after sixty days have elapsed. 

Vacancies, Quorum. — In case of a vacancy, the governor 
shall call an election to fill the vacancy. It takes a majority 
of the members elected to each House to make a quorum. 

How a Bill May Become a Law. - - A bill to become a law 
must pass both Houses and be signed by the governor. If 
the governor refuses to sign a bill, it may become a law with- 
out his signature by passing both Houses by a two-thirds vote. 
If the governor retains a bill five days, it becomes a law, 
unless the legislature adjourns within that time. In order 
to pass either House, a bill must receive the votes of a majority 
of the members elected to that House. 

Emergency Legislation. — Laws that are passed by the 
legislature do not go into effect until ninety days after the 
adjournment of the session at which they are passed, unless 
the legislature by a two-thirds vote declares the law to be an 
emergency law, in which case it goes into effect as soon as 
approved by the governor. 

Sessions. — The legislature meets regularly once every 
two years, but the governor may call special sessions. It 
meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 
in the year after the election. 

Questions. Name the three departments of state government. 
What is the lawmaking power vested in ? How many members in each 
House? How elected? State the qualifications of members of each 
House. What is the salary of the members of the legislature? How 
long is a session ? What is necessary to make a quorum ? How may a 



136 Oklahoma Civics 

bill become a law ? What is an emergency law ? How passed ? How 
are vacancies in each House filled? State whether the legislature alone 
can make laws in Oklahoma. How often does the legislature meet? 
When? 



LESSON 10 
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM 

Direct Legislation. — Oklahoma is one of the few states 
that have direct control over the lawmaking of the state. 
Sometimes legislatures fail to pass some law that the people 
want. In Oklahoma the people can make laws that the 
majority of the people wish made. Sometimes legislatures 
pass laws that the people do not want. In this state the 
people can reject the law passed by the legislature, unless 
the legislature, by a two-thirds vote, has declared it an emer- 
gency. Where the people have the right to make laws, the 
legislature is apt to be more careful to make laws that the 
people want. 

Initiative. — Initiative as applied to lawmaking means 
proposing a law. To initiate a law in the state, it is neces- 
sary for eight per cent of the legal voters of the state to sign a 
petition that the law be made. When eight per cent of the 
voters have signed the petition, it is filed with the secretary of 
state. The governor then orders an election on the question 
of the proposed law. If a majority of the voters vote in 
favor of the question, it becomes a law. Fifteen per cent of 
the legal voters is required to initiate an amendment to the 
constitution, but only a majority vote is necessary to carry 
the proposition. To initiate a measure in a county, city, 
or township, it is necessary for the petition to be signed by 
twenty-five per cent of the legal voters of the county, or of 
the city, or of the township. 



Initiative and Referendum 137 

Referendum. — Referendum means an election on a propo- 
sition. All initiative questions are referred to the people. 
The legislature may pass a measure and order a referendum 
on it. If the legislature passes a law that is objectionable, 
the people can ask that the law be referred to them, for their 
approval or rejection. In such a case, it would require a 
petition to that effect, signed by five per cent of the legal 
voters of the state. If the majority vote against the ques- 
tion, it is rejected. Petitions calling for a referendum on a 
law passed by the legislature must be riled within ninety 
days after the adjournment of the session of the legislature 
at which the law was passed. A referendum cannot be de- 
manded on an emergency measure. A referendum may be 
demanded on one or more parts of a measure passed by the 
legislature. 

Amendments to the Constitution. — Amendments may be 
proposed or initiated by fifteen per cent of the legal voters of 
the state. They may also be proposed by the legislature by 
a majoiity vote. An amendment must always be referred 
to the people, and a majority vote is necessary to carry it. 
The legislature by a two-thirds vote may order a special 
election on a proposed amendment. The governor may order 
a special election on an initiative question. If a special 
election is not called, the question is voted upon at the next 
general election. 

Repeal, Veto. — The legislature can repeal an initiated 
law, but it is not likely to do so unless the people have appar- 
ently changed their minds on the matter and seem to want it 
repealed. 

The governor cannot veto an initiated measure. If the 
people vote in favor of a law, one man, even if he be the 
governor, should not be able to defeat the law. 



138 Oklahoma Civics 

Questions. What is direct legislation? Of what advantage is it? 
What is meant by initiative ? How may a law be initiated ? An amend- 
ment ? What per cent is required to initiate a law in a city ? Explain 
the referendum. In what ways may a referendum be ordered? In 
what time must the referendum be demanded on acts of the legislature ? 
State whether the referendum can be demanded on emergency laws. 
How may amendments be made to the constitution ? Who can repeal 
initiated laws? Why? State whether the governor can veto them. 



LESSON 11 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 

The Executive Officers of the state are : governor, lieu- 
tenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, 
treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, examiner 
and inspector, chief mine inspector, labor commissioner, 
commissioner of charities and corrections, commissioner of 
insurance, state printer, bank commissioner, president of the 
board of agriculture, public health commissioner, and corpo- 
ration commissioners. There are a number of important 
boards : board of education, board of agriculture, board of 
affairs, banking board, board of pardons, and commissioners 
of the land office. 

The Governor is the chief executive officer of the state. 
It is his duty to see that the laws are enforced. He must 
be thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and 
must have been a qualified elector of the state for three 
years. He is elected by the people, for a term of four years, 
and cannot immediately succeed himself. The term begins 
the second Monday in January, following the election. 

The Lieutenant Governor is the president of the senate. 



Executive Department 



J 39 




He is acting governor during the absence of the governor from 
the state, and, in case of death, resignation, or removal of the 
governor, he succeeds him in office. He must have the same 
qualifications for office as the governor, and is elected at the 
same time for the same term. He may succeed himself in 
office. 

The Secretary of State has charge of and publishes the 
state laws. He keeps a record of the 
official acts of the governor. He is cus- 
todian of the great seal of the state. 
He issues certificates of incorporation 
and receives the initiative and referen- 
dum petitions. His qualifications and 
term are the same as those of the gov- 
ernor. He cannot succeed himself. 

The State Auditor examines accounts and claims against the 
state. He draws warrants on the treasurer to pay the bills 
of the state and he keeps a record of the accounts paid, which 
should agree with the treasurer's books. His qualifications 
and term are the same as those of the governor. He cannot 
succeed himself. 

The State Treasurer has charge of all money belonging to 
the state. He can pay out money only on warrants issued 
by the state auditor, and there must be a law for such pay- 
ments. His qualifications and term are those of the gover- 
nor. He cannot succeed himself. 

The Attorney General is the legal advisor of the state 
officers. He serves as counsel for the state in civil and crim- 
inal cases, and prosecutes certain criminal cases where county 
attorneys fail to do their duty. His term and qualifications 
are the same as those of the governor. He may succeed 
himself. 



140 Oklahoma Civics 

The Superintendent of Public Instruction has general super- 
vision over the entire public school system of the state and is 
president of the State Board of Education. His qualifications 
and term are the same as those of the governor. 

The State Examiner and Inspector must examine at least 
twice each year the books and cash of the state treasurer and 
of the county treasurers, and must prescribe a uniform sys- 
tem of bookkeeping for all of the treasurers. He must have 
the same qualifications as the governor, and must have had 
at least three years' experience as expert accountant. His 
term is four years. 

The Chief Mine Inspector examines the mines and mining 
machinery of the state, to see that the proper precautions 
are taken for the safety and health of the operators. He must 
have had at least eight years' actual experience as a practical 
miner. His term is four years. 

The Commissioner of Labor must settle differences be- 
tween employers of labor and their employees, and im- 
prove the conditions of the laboring classes. His term is 
four years. 

The Insurance Commissioner requires insurance companies 
which operate in the state to comply with the insurance laws, 
and suspends unsafe companies from doing business in the 
state. He must be at least twenty-five years of age and well 
versed in insurance. His term is four years. 

Questions. What is meant by executive? What are the qualifica- 
tions of the chief executive ? His duties ? State the duties and qualifi- 
cations of lieutenant governor. What is the work of the secretary of 
state? Of the auditor? What state officers cannot immediately suc- 
ceed themselves ? Why not ? What are the duties of the state treas- 
urer]? M 3f the attorney ^general ? Of the state superintendent? What 
state officers must have the same qualifications that a governor has? 



Executive Department 141 

State the duties of examiner. Of mine inspector. Of commissioner of 
labor. Of insurance commissioner. Who now holds each of these 
offices about which you have studied? 



LESSON 12 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT (Concluded) 

The Commissioner of Charities looks after the conditions 
of the charitable and penal institutions of the state, to see 
that the inmates receive proper treatment. The commis- 
sioner must be twenty-five years of age, and may be either 
male or- female. The term is four years. 

The Bank Commissioner has oversight of the state banks. 
He requires reports from them at least once each quarter, 
and takes charge of any state bank that he deems unsafe, 
and settles up its affairs. 

The State Printer's duty is to supervise all printing and 
binding done for the various state departments, to see that 
the work is done well and according to contract. His term 
is four years. 

The Commissioner of Health has supervision of the health 
officers of the state. He sees that the health regulations of 
the state are observed and issues orders necessary to check 
epidemics or the spread of contagious diseases. 

The President of the Board of Agriculture besides presid- 
ing over the meetings of the board, supervises the stock 
inspectors. He enforces animal quarantine rules and pro- 
motes the interests of farmers and stock raisers. His term is 
four years. 

Corporation Commissioners are elected for a term of six 
years. There are three commissioners, one being elected 



142 Oklahoma Civics 

every two years at the general election. They must be thirty 
years of age and resident citizens for two years and must 
not own any interest in any corporation. It is their duty to 
see that transportation and transmission companies, such as 
railroads and telephone companies, are not unjust and unfair 
in their rates, and that they provide proper facilities. 

The Board of Agriculture consists of the president of the 
board, elected by the people, and ten farmers, chosen by dele- 
gates from the county farmers' institutes. Each county insti- 
tute elects one delegate. The board of agriculture is the 
board of regents of the state agricultural schools. Its work 
is to improve farming and stock raising and to check the 
spread of diseases among stock. 

The State Board of Education is the board of regents of 
all the state schools except the agricultural schools, and, as 
such, it controls those schools and elects their faculties. It 
selects textbooks for the public schools of the state, adopts 
courses of study, makes rules governing certificates, prepares 
examination questions for city and county teachers, and ex- 
amines applicants for state certificates. The Board consists 
of the state superintendent and six other members appointed 
by the governor. 

The Board of Public Affairs consists of three members 
appointed by the governor, not more than two of whom may 
belong to the same political party. The board has charge of 
the construction and repair of all public buildings and pur- 
chases all supplies for the state. 

The Banking Board consists of the governor and two persons 
experienced in banking. This board makes rules governing 
state banks and has charge of the Guaranty Bank Funds. 

The Commissioners of the Land Office have charge of the 
sale and rental of school lands and other lands belonging to 



Judicial Department 143 

the state. They also have charge of the loaning of the 
state school fund. The members of the board are the gov- 
ernor, secretary, auditor, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion, and president of the board of agriculture. 

The Board of Pardons consists of the superintendent of 
public instruction, the president of the board of agriculture, 
and the auditor. It inquires into the cases of those ap- 
plying for pardons, and makes recommendations to the 
governor, who has the power to pardon. 

Questions. What is the work of the commissioner of charities? 
What is a penal institution? What are the duties of the bank com- 
missioner ? The banking board ? What is the Guaranty Fund ? State 
the work of the state printer. Of the commissioner of health. Of the 
president of the board of agriculture. Of the board of agriculture. 
Of what does the board of agriculture consist ? How many corporation 
commissioners ? What is their work ? What is the work of the Board 
of Education? How many members of the Board? How chosen? 
Work of the board of pardons ? How many members on the board of 
public affairs? How chosen? Work of that board? Make a list of 
the persons now holding the offices mentioned in this lesson ? 



LESSON 13 
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT 

The State Courts. — The judicial department of the state 
consists of a supreme court, supreme court commissioners, 
a criminal court of appeals, district courts, county courts, 
justice of the peace courts, police courts, and in some counties 
superior courts. 

The Senate may sit as a court of impeachment to try state 
officers against whom the House of Representatives has 
preferred charges of misconduct in office. The Senate cannot 



144 Oklahoma Civics 

punish further than to remove from office. Senators and 
Representatives cannot be impeached. Each House of the 
legislature tries its own members. 

The Supreme Court. — This court consists of five judges 
elected for a term of six years ; two are elected at one 
general election, two at the next, and one at the succeeding 
election. Each supreme court justice is in turn chief justice 
for one yearr The supreme court has original and appellate 
jurisdiction, but the most of its work is appellate ; that is, 
it retries cases that have been tried in lower courts. There 
is no jury in trials before the supreme court. There is a 
supreme court clerk, elected by the people for four years. 
He keeps the records of the supreme court and also of the 
criminal court of appeals. 

Supreme Court Commissioners. — The legislature in 191 1 
authorized the supreme court to appoint six commissioners 
who are to assist the supreme court in their work. Their 
term is two years. 

The Criminal Court of Appeals. — This court consists of 
three judges elected for six years ; one is elected every two 
years. It has appellate jurisdiction only, and tries criminal 
cases appealed from district, county, and superior courts. 
It has no jury. 

District Courts. — The legislature in 191 1 divided the 
state into twenty-six judicial districts. The district judges 
are elected for four years. District courts have jurisdiction 
in civil and criminal cases. They have both original and 
appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means the right 
to try a case the first time it is tried. Appellate jurisdiction 
means the right to try a case that has been tried in a lower 
court. District courts may try cases that have been tried in 
justice or city courts. 



Judicial Department 145 

Superior Court. — A county having a population of thirty 
thousand in which there is a city of eight thousand, may have 
a superior court. This court has jurisdiction concurrent 
with the district and county courts, except that it does not 
have probate or juvenile jurisdiction. The judge is elected 
for four years. 

County Court. — Each county has a county judge who is 
elected as the other county officers are for a term of two years. 
As has already been stated, under the discussion of county 
government, the county court has jurisdiction over civil cases 
involving not more than one thousand dollars, and over 
criminal actions where the fine does not exceed two hundred 
dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail for thirty days. 
This court may hold preliminary examinations and cause the 
party to be tried in a higher court. The county judge also 
holds juvenile court and has jurisdiction over the property 
of deceased persons. 

Justice Courts. — The county commissioners were author- 
ized to divide the county into six justice districts. One jus- 
tice is elected from each, but the commissioners may allow an 
additional justice to each district. Justices have jurisdic- 
tion over civil cases up to two hundred dollars, and over 
criminal cases, the same as a county judge. 

Police Courts have jurisdiction over violations of city 
ordinances. 

Questions. Name in order the courts of the state's judicial system- 
Of what does the supreme court consist ? Jurisdiction of that court ? 
Number of judges? How often elected? Who chooses the supreme 
court commissioners? What is their work? How many judges in the 
criminal court of appeals? Its jurisdiction? What is meant by juris- 
diction? Appellate? Original? How many district courts in the 
state? Length of term? Jurisdiction? What counties have superior 



146 Oklahoma Civics 

courts? Jurisdiction of superior courts? What is the work of county 
courts ? Of justice courts ? Of police courts ? Name the judges of the 
supreme court. The judge of the district court of the district in which 
you live. 



LESSON 14 
ELECTIONS 



Time of Elections. — General elections for the purpose of 
electing members of the lower House of Congress, and also 
state, legislative, and county officers are held the first Tues- 
day after the first Monday in November of even-numbered 
years. City elections are held on the first Tuesday in April. 
Primary elections are held the first Tuesday in August of 
even-numbered years. Special elections may be called by the 
governor. 

Voters. — Qualified electors are male citizens of the United 
States, twenty-one years of age, who have resided in the state 
one year, in the county six months, and in the election precinct 
thirty days. Persons in the poorhouse cannot vote unless 
they are ex-Federal, or ex-Confederate soldiers. No person 
can vote unless he is able to read and write any section of 
the Constitution. But persons who could vote before 
January 1, 1866, or their lineal descendants, cannot be pre- 
vented from voting on account of not being able to read 
and write. 

Election Precincts. — The township and the city ward are 
often taken as voting precincts or districts, but they may be 
divided into two or more precincts. There can be only one 
voting place in a precinct. The precinct should be small 
enough to allow the voters time to vote. Voting places are 
selected by the county election board. 



Elections 1 47 

Election Boards. - - The state election board consists of 
three members appointed by the governor who designates one 
as chairman and one as secretary. No more than two of 
them can belong to the same political party. The county 
election board consists of three members. The member 
who is to be secretary is chosen by the state election board 
and the two leading political parties each select one. The 
county election board selects three qualified voters in each 
precinct to be the precinct election board. No more than 
two of them can belong to the same political party. 

Duties of Election Boards. — The state election board 
prepares the ballots, canvasses the returns, and issues certifi- 
cates of election, in case of state elections or elections from 
districts not a subdivision of a county. The county elec- 
tion board prepares the ballots, canvasses the returns, and 
issues certificates of election, in case of county elections or 
elections in subdivisions of a county. 

The precinct board holds the election in the precinct and 
delivers the returns to the county board. Before the elec- 
tion four counters are chosen by the precinct board. No more 
than three of the counters can belong to the same party. They 
begin to count the ballots at ten o'clock on the morning of 
the election. 

Registration. — In cities of the first class all voters who wish 
to vote must register before the election and receive a certi- 
ficate of registration. Registration books are open during 
the month of July. This is to give the voters a chance to 
register before the primary election. 

Mandatory Primary. — All candidates of political parties 
must be chosen at a primary election. The primary election 
is under the control of the regular election boards. Any 
person who wants his name on a primary ballot must present 



148 



Oklahoma Civics 



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Taxation 149 

a petition to the election board that prepares the ballots for 
that office. 

Ballots. — The ballots for the general election are on white 
paper. The candidates of all the parties are on one ballot. 
All of the candidates of one party are in the same column. At 
the primary election, the candidates of each party are on a 
separate ballot. The ballots of each party are on different 
colored paper. Each voter is given the ballot of his party. 

Forms of ballots are shown on page 146. 

Questions. Why are elections held ? What is the time of the general 
election? Of the primary election? What are the qualifications of 
voters ? What is an election precinct ? How large should it be ? How 
is the state election board chosen ? What are the duties of that board ? 
How is the county election board chosen ? What are its duties ? How is 
the precinct board chosen? What are its duties? Wlien are voters 
required to register ? Why ? What does it mean to register ? What is 
meant by a mandatory primary ? What difference between the primary 
and the general election ballot? 



LESSON 15 
TAXATION 



Need of Taxes. — A tax is money paid for the support of 
the state. It takes money to keep up a government. Money 
is required for roads, bridges, and school buildings. Until 
people improve, a great deal of money will be needed for jails 
and penitentiaries. A good government is a blessing. Right- 
minded people are willing to bear the expense. 

Assessment. — Most people think the expense of govern- 
ment should be distributed according to the ability of the 
people to bear it. Most of our state and local taxes are 



150 Oklahoma Civics 

based on the value of property. In order to collect taxes in 
that way it is necessary to have a value placed upon the prop- 
erty. The officer who makes a list of the property and fixes 
the value is the assessor. In Oklahoma the property is as- 
sessed by a county assessor. The property should be assessed 
at its actual cash value. 

Levying Taxes. — To levy taxes means to fix a rate to be 
collected on the assessed value. The district school tax is 
levied by the people at the annual school meeting. The town- 
ship tax is levied by the township board. The incorporated 
town tax is levied by the board of trustees. The city tax is 
levied by the city council. The school tax in the cities of the 
first class is levied by the board of education. The county 
tax is levied by the county commissioner. The state tax is 
levied under the authority of the state legislature. In each 
county is an excise board which reviews all the levies made 
in the county and makes the necessary corrections. 

Collecting Taxes. — After the assessor has listed and valued 
the property he turns the list over to the county clerk. The 
excise board reports the levies to the county clerk. The 
clerk then makes out a tax roll, which he turns over to the 
county treasurer. The county treasurer collects the taxes 
and pays out to the treasurer of each school district, of each 
township, of each incorporated town, and of each city, the 
money due each district, township, town, and city. He pays 
the bills against the county and sends to the state the money 
due the state from that county. 

When Taxes are Due. —Taxes are due November 1. If 
the first one-half of the taxes is paid before December 15, 
the other one-half may remain unpaid for six months, but 
must be paid before June 15, following the date when 
due. 



Taxation 1 5 1 

Special Taxes. — Various special taxes are also collected in 
this state. Cities and towns require a license for certain 
kinds of business. Persons who have an income above $3500 
a year are liable to a tax. Property that passes by inheritance 
is taxed ; persons having above a certain amount of land must 
pay a special tax ; corporations are taxed on their receipts. A 
poll tax on males between twenty-one and fifty years of age 
is collected. 

Exemptions. — There is property upon which taxes are not 
collected. Property used for schools, for religious purposes, 
for free libraries, and property belonging to the United States, 
the state, counties, and cities is exempt from taxation. Heads 
of families are allowed household goods and tools to the value 
of one hundred dollars free from tax. Ex-Federal and ex- 
Confederate soldiers are exempt to the extent of two hundred 
dollars if they are the heads of families. 

Questions. What is a tax? Why is it necessary to pay taxes? 
What is meant by ad valorem taxes? What is meant by assessing? 
Who assesses property in this state ? What is meant by levying taxes ? 
Who levies the various kinds of taxes? Who makes out the tax roll? 
To whom are taxes paid? When are taxes due? When may they be 
paid? What does the county treasurer do with the taxes he collects? 
What special taxes are collected in this state? Who is liable to poll 
tax? What is an income tax? 



APPENDIX A 



TERRITORIAL OFFICERS 



GOVERNORS OF OKLAHOMA 



George W. Steele 
A. J. Seay 
W. C. Renfrew 
C. M. Barnes . 
W. M. Jenkins 
T. B. Ferguson 
Frank Frantz . 



David A. Harvey 
Dennis T. Flynn 
James Y. Callahan 
Dennis T. Flynn 
Bird S. McGuire 



May 22, 1890 to Oct. 18, 1891 

Oct. 18, 1891 to May 7, 1893 

May 7, 1893 to May 24, 1897 

May 24, 1897 to Apr. 15, 1901 

Apr. 15, 1901 to Nov. 30, 1901 
Nov. 30, 1901 to Jan. 5, 1906 

Jan. 6, 1906 to Nov. 16, 1907 



DELEGATES TO CONGRESS 



Nov. 5, 1890 to Mar. 4, 1893 
Mar. 4, 1893 to Mar. 4, 1897 
Mar. 4, 1897 to Mar. 4, 1899 
Mar. 4, 1899 to Mar. 4, 1903 
Mar. 4, 1903- to Nov. 16, 1907 



TRIBAL GOVERNORS AT STATEHOOD 



Cherokee Nation 
Choctaw Nation 
Chickasaw Nation 
Creek Nation . 
Seminole Nation 



William C. Rogers 
Green McCurtain 
Douglas H. Johnson 
Moty Tiger 
John F. Brown 



POPULATION OF FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES 



Cherokees 

Chickasaws 

Seminoles 

Choctaws 

Creeks 



1847 

18,000 

6,500 

2,500 

16,000 

22,207 



1857 
21,709 
5,822 

22,707 
27,757 



i53 



154 Appendix A 

AREA OF OPENINGS 

acres 

Old Oklahoma 1,877,800 

No Man's Land 3,681,000 

Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie .... 1,281,434 

Cheyenne and Arapahoe 4,297,771 

Cherokee Outlet 6,014,239 

Kickapoo 206,662 

Greer County 1,511,576 

Kiowa and Comanche 4,000,000 

Big Pasture 5°5> 000 



APPENDIX B 



STATE OFFICERS (1914) 

UNITED STATES SENATORS 

Robert L. Owen Thomas P. Gore 



$7500 



UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVES 



First District . 
Second District 
Third District . 
Fourth District 
Fifth District . 



^7500 

Bird S. McGuire 

Richard T. Morgan 
James S. Davenport 
Charles D. Carter 
Scott Ferris 



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

Elective 
Governor, Lee Cruce ..... 
Lieutenant Governor, J. J. McAlester 
Secretary of State, Ben F. Harrison 
State Auditor, J. C. McLelland 
Attorney General, Charles West 
State Treasurer, Robert Dunlop 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, R. H. Wilson 
Examiner and Inspector, Fred Parkinson 
Chief Mine Inspector, Ed Boyle 
Labor Commissioner, C. L. Daugherty . 
Commissioner of Charities, Kate Barnard 
Commissioner of Insurance, A. L. Welch 
President of Board of Agriculture, G. T. Bryan 

J. E. Love 
Corporation Commissioners A. P. Watson 

George Henshaw 

i55 



$4500 
1000 
2500 
2500 
4000 
3000 
2500 
3000 
3000 
2000 
2500 
2500 
2500 

4000 



i56 



Appendix B 



Appointive 

Bank Commissioner, J. D. Lankford 

Secretary of State Board of Health, J. C. Mahr 

State Librarian, S. O. Daws ..... 

Secretary of School Land Commissioners, J. R. Williams 

State Reporter, Howard Parker .... 

Adjutant General, Frank M. Canton 

Secretary of State Election Board, Ben F. Riley 

State Fire Marshall, C. C. Hammonds . 

State Highway Commissioner, Sidney Suggs . 

State Game Warden, John B. Doolin 

Statfe Inspector of Rural Schools, E. F. Proffitt 

State Inspector of High Schools, A. C. Parsons 

Secretary of State Board of Agriculture, Ben F. Hennessey 



Board of Education 

($6 per day and 

expenses) 



' R. H. Wilson, State Superintendent 

A. W. Duff 

B. H. Hester 
Frank J. Wikoff 
Dr. F. B. Fite 
H. C. Potterof 

I M. H. Duncan 
Leslie T. Huffman, Secretary 



$4000 
1800 
1500 
0000 
2000 
1800 
2100 
2500 
2500 
1800 
1800 
0000 
0000 



Board of Affairs 
(Salary $3000) 

State Election Board 
($6 per day and 
expenses) 



f L. M. Frame 
E. E. Morris 
E. B. Howard 



C. C. Penn, Chairman 
B. F. Riley, Secretary 
T. B. Ferguson 



Supreme Court 
' (Salary $4000) 



JUDICIAL OFFICERS 

John B. Turner, First District 
Robert L. Williams, Second District 
Mathew J. Kane, Third District 
Samuel W. Hayes, Fourth District 
Jesse J. Dunn, Fifth District 



Appendix B 



157 



Supreme Court Commis- 
sioners 
(Salary $3600) 

Criminal Court of 

Appeals 

(Salary $4000) 



C. B. Ames 
P. D. Brewer 
John B. Harrison 
J. B. A. Robertson 
Malcom E. Rosser 
.J. F. Sharp 

Henry Furman 
Thomas B. Doyle 
[ H. G. Baker 



Clerk of Supreme Court, W. H. L. Campbell 
Speaker of House of Representatives, W. A. Durant. 



APPENDIX C 



STATE INSTITUTIONS (1912) 

EDUCATIONAL 

(Undef Control of Board of Education) 

University of Oklahoma, Norman, Stratton D. Brooks. 

Central State Normal School, Edmond, Charles Evans. 

Northwestern Normal School, Alva, Grant Grumbine. 

Southwestern Normal School, Weatherford, W. J. Griffith. 

Northeastern Normal School, Tahlequah, F. E. Buck. 

Southeastern Normal School, Durant, E. D. Murdaugh 

East Central Normal School, Ada, Charles W. B riles. 

University Preparatory School, Tonkawa, Lynn Glover. 

Eastern Preparatory School, Claremore, J. H. Bayes. 

School of Mines, Wilburton, George E. Ladd. 

Industrial Institute and College for Girls, Chickasha, J. B. Eskridge 

School for the Deaf, Sulphur, A. A. Stewart. 

School for the Blind, Fort Gibson, 0. W. Stewart. 

Training School for Boys, Pauls Valley, E. B. Nelson. 

Institution for Feeble Minded, Enid, Dr. W. L. Kendall. 

The State Home, Pryor, A. L. Malone. 

Colored A. & N. University, Langston, Inman E. Page. 

Colored Orphans Home, Taft, S. Douglas Russell. 

AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS 

(Under Control of Board of Agriculture) 

Agricultural and Mechanical College, Stillwater, J. H, Connell. 
Murray School of Agriculture, Tishomingo, H. L. Muldrow 
Connell School of Agriculture, Helena, W. S. Calvert. 
Haskell School of Agriculture, Broken Arrow, J. H. Esslinger. 
Conner School of Agriculture, Warner, J. S. Murray. 
Panhandle School of Agriculture, Goodwell, S. W. Black. 
Cameron School of Agriculture, Lawton, J. A. Liner. 

158 



Appendix C 159 



CHARITABLE 



Hospital for Insane, Norman, W. D. Griffin. 
Hospital for Insane, Fort Supply, E. G. Newell. 
Confederate Home, Ardmore, John B. Gait. 



PENAL 



State Reformatory, Granite, C. A. Reed. 
State Penitentiary, McAlester, R. W. Dick. 



« 




POPULATION 








1890 


1900 


1907 


1910 


Oklahoma 


258,657 


790,391 


i,4i4,377 


i,657,i55 



TEN LARGEST CITIES (1910) 

Oklahoma City 64,205 

Muskogee 25,278 

Tulsa 18,182 

Enid 13,799 

McAlester . 12,954 

Shawnee .......... 12,474 

Guthrie 11,654 

Chickasha 10,320 

Ardmore 8,618 

Sapulpa 8,283 

SCHOOLS UNDER CHURCH CONTROL 

Harry Kendall College, Tulsa, Presbyterian. 
Bacone University, Muskogee, Baptist. 
Oklahoma Methodist University, Guthrie, Methodist. 
Phillips Christian University, Enid, Christian. 
Oklahoma Wesleyan College, Britton, M. E. South. 
Kingfisher College, Kingfisher, Congregational. 
St. Joseph's Retreat, Guthrie, Catholic. 
Bethany College, Oklahoma City, Holiness. 
Blackwell College, Blackwell, Baptist. 



160 Appendix C 



BOOKS OF REFERENCE 

"Journey of Coronado," G. P. Winship. 

" Thirty Years of Army Life," R. B. Marcy. 

"Tour of the Prairies," Washington Irving. 

"Evangeline," Henry W. Longfellow. 

"Historic Towns of Southern States" (Mobile, New Orleans), Lyman 

Powell. 
"Border Fights and Fighters," Part IV, C. T. Brady. 
"My Life on the Plains," G. A. Custer. 
"Louisiana," (pp. 1-252), Albert Phelps. 
"Aboriginal Races," Drake. 
"Letters and Notes on Indians," Catlin. 
"Texas," George P. Garrison. 
"Stories of Georgia," Joel Chandler Harris. 
"Historic Towns of the Western States " (Santa Fe), Fred Webb Hodge. 



